OpenLB
Open Library of Bioscience
Advanced Search
Environmental science and pollution research international
Jun, 2024;31 (28): 40462-40471.

The role of China in protecting the Arctic against pollutions from vessels: a legal perspective.

Marziyehsadat Montazeritabar, Haibo Ye
Author Information
  1. Marziyehsadat Montazeritabar: School of Law, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China. ORCID
  2. Haibo Ye: School of Law, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China. yehaibo@szu.edu.cn.
PMID: 38206465 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-31765-1

Abstract

In the past decade, global climate change and the rapid melting of polar ice have dramatically transformed the Arctic landscape from a vast ice-covered area to a seasonally navigable sea. This accessibility has sparked increased commercial activity, posing a threat from various pollutants, particularly from vessel sources. Given China's profound interests in Arctic shipping, its involvement may face resistance from Arctic states, and therefore, it is important for China to ensure that its presence benefits local communities and states. This study explores China's role in shaping the international legal landscape to protect the Arctic from vessel-source pollutions. The intricate interplay between China's economic interests, maritime security concerns, and environmental commitments in the Arctic underscores China's potential role. By aligning with existing international legal structures, such as UNCLOS and MARPOL, China has already started to demonstrate its commitment to preserving the Arctic environment. This study assesses and discusses the potentially strategic importance of China's involvement in influencing legal regimes, offering a crucial contribution to global efforts to preserve this vital region.

Keywords

Arctic China Law Marine environment Pollution Shipping Vessel

References

  1. Arctic Policy (2018) The People’s Republic of China, The State Council, “Full text: China’s Arctic policy” http://english.www.gov.cn/archive/white_paper/2018/01/26/content_281476026660336.htm . Accessed 2024-01-02
  2. Bai J, Zhu K (2023) China’s Engagement in Arctic governance for its sustainable development based on international law perspective sustainability. 15
  3. Bennett M (2015) How China sees the Arctic: reading between extraregional and intraregional narratives. Geopolitics 20(3):645–668 [DOI: 10.1080/14650045.2015.1017757]
  4. Blunden M (2012) Geopolitics and the Northern Sea Route. Int Aff 88(1):115–129. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2346.2012.01060.x [DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-2346.2012.01060.x]
  5. Borgerson SG (2008) Arctic meltdown: the economic and security implications of global warming. Foreign Aff 87(2):63–77
  6. Breum M (2022) Though official Arctic contacts with Russia are closed, an array of unofficial bridges could stay open. Arctic Today, 19 October, https://www.arctictoday.com/though-official-arctic-contacts-with-russia-are-closed-an-array-of-unofficial-bridges-could-stay-open/ . Accessed 2024-01-02
  7. Can Y (2016) China issues guidance on Arctic navigation in northwest passage. http://en.people.cn/n3/2016/0422/c90000-9048402.html . Accessed 2024-01-02
  8. Chircop A (2020) The Polar Code and the Arctic marine environment: assessing the regulation of the environmental risks of shipping. Int J Mar Coast Law 35(3):533–569. https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-BJA10033 [DOI: 10.1163/15718085-BJA10033]
  9. Corbett JJ, Lack DA, Winebrake JJ, Harder S, Silberman JA, Gold M (2010) Arctic shipping emissions inventories and future scenarios. Atmos Chem Phys 10(19):9689–9704. https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-10-9689-2010 [DOI: 10.5194/acp-10-9689-2010]
  10. Cordesman AH, Burke AA, Molot M (2019) The critical role of Chinese trade in the South China Sea China and the US. Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), pp 336–343
  11. Eiterjord T (2020) Arctic technopolitics and China’s reception of the Polar Code. https://www.thearcticinstitute.org/arctic-technopolitics-china-reception-polar-code/ . Accessed 2024-01-02
  12. Fang J, Lincke D, Brown S et al (2020) Coastal flood risks in China through the 21st century – an application of DIVA. Sci Total Environ 704:135311. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.135311 [DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.135311]
  13. Fu S, Yu Y, Chen J, Han B, Wu Z (2022a) Towards a probabilistic approach for risk analysis of nuclear-powered icebreakers using FMEA and FRAM. Ocean Eng 260:112041. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oceaneng.2022.112041 [DOI: 10.1016/j.oceaneng.2022.112041]
  14. Fu S, Yu Y, Chen J, Xi Y, Zhang M (2022b) A framework for quantitative analysis of the causation of grounding accidents in arctic shipping. Reliab Eng Syst Saf 226:108706. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ress.2022.108706 [DOI: 10.1016/j.ress.2022.108706]
  15. Gao Y (2016) China’s response to climate change issues after Paris Climate Change Conference. Adv Clim Chang Res 7(4):235–240. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.accre.2016.10.001 [DOI: 10.1016/j.accre.2016.10.001]
  16. Hoare JE (1987) China’s Marine Environmental Protection Law: the dragon creeping in murky waters. China Q 110:312–312. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0305741000019986 [DOI: 10.1017/S0305741000019986]
  17. Hong N (2012) The melting Arctic and its impact on China’s maritime transport. Res Transp Econ 35(1):50–57. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.retrec.2011.11.003 [DOI: 10.1016/j.retrec.2011.11.003]
  18. Hong N (2014) Emerging interests of non-Arctic countries in the Arctic: a Chinese perspective. Polar J 4(2):271–286. https://doi.org/10.1080/2154896X.2014.954888 [DOI: 10.1080/2154896X.2014.954888]
  19. Hong N (2020) China’s role in the Arctic: observing and being observed. Routledge, Oxon [DOI: 10.4324/9780429328138]
  20. Hurri K, Kopra S (2023) Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine: impacts on China’s climate responsibility in the Arctic. https://www.thearcticinstitute.org/russia-full-scale-invasion-ukraine-impacts-china-climate-responsibility-arctic/ . Accessed 2024-01-02
  21. IMO (2013) IMO Docs DE57/25: report to the maritime safety committee and the marine environment protection committee. https://docs.imo.org/ . Accessed 2024-01-02
  22. Jeffries MO, Overland JE, Perovich DK (2013) The Arctic shifts to a new normal. Physics Today 66(10):35–40. https://doi.org/10.1063/PT.3.2147 [DOI: 10.1063/PT.3.2147]
  23. Jian Y (2017) Four impacts from the China-Nordic Arctic research center. In: Corell RW, Kim JD, Kim YH, Young OR (eds) The Arctic in world affairs: a North Pacific dialogue on building capacity for a sustainable Arctic in a changing global order (2017 North Pacific Arctic Conefernce Proceedings). Korea Maritime Institute
  24. Keyuan Z (1999) Implementing marine environmental protection law in China: progress, problems and prospects. Mar Policy 23(3):207–225. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0308-597X(98)00043-8 [DOI: 10.1016/S0308-597X(98)00043-8]
  25. Kirchner S (2017) 2. Marine pollution: B. Vessel source pollution. Yearb Int Environ Law 28:143–146. https://doi.org/10.1093/yiel/yvy008 [DOI: 10.1093/yiel/yvy008]
  26. Kirchner S (2018) Greening Arctic cruise shipping through law and technology: a role for China? Arctic Yearbook 2018:71–83
  27. Lanteigne M (2008) China’s maritime security and the “Malacca dilemma”. Asian Security 4(2):143–161. https://doi.org/10.1080/14799850802006555 [DOI: 10.1080/14799850802006555]
  28. Lasserre F, Huang L, Alexeeva OV (2017) China’s strategy in the Arctic: threatening or opportunistic? Polar Rec 53(1):31–42. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0032247415000765 [DOI: 10.1017/S0032247415000765]
  29. Li W (2016) International code for ships operating in polar waters: challenges to polar shipping safety rules in China. Adv Polar Sci 27(3):150
  30. Liu B (2022) China tightens verification of ships’ energy consumption data. https://www.gard.no/web/articles?documentId=34658776 . Accessed 2024-01-02
  31. Liu N (2018) Will China build a green Belt and Road in the Arctic? Rev Eur Comp Int Environ Law 27(1):55–62. https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12238 [DOI: 10.1111/reel.12238]
  32. Liu N, Hossain K (2017) China and the development of international law on Arctic shipping: challenges and opportunities. In: Koivurova T, Qin T, Nykänen T, Duyck S (eds) Arctic Law and Governance: The role of China, Finland and the EU. Hart Publishing, Oxford, pp 233–251
  33. Liu N, Maes F (2011) Prevention of vessel-source marine pollution: a note on the challenges and prospects for Chinese practice under international law. Ocean Dev Int Law 42(4):356–367. https://doi.org/10.1080/00908320.2011.619373 [DOI: 10.1080/00908320.2011.619373]
  34. Ma X (2019a) China’s Arctic policy on the basis of international law: identification, goals, principles and positions. Mar Policy 100:265–276. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2018.11.027 [DOI: 10.1016/j.marpol.2018.11.027]
  35. Ma X (2019b) China and the UNCLOS: practices and policies. The Chinese Journal of Global Governance 5(1):1–20. https://doi.org/10.1163/23525207-12340036 [DOI: 10.1163/23525207-12340036]
  36. Ma X, Zhou Q, Liu Y, Liu Y, Qiao W (2021) Security of the Arctic route from the resilience perspective: the ideal state, influencing factors, and evaluation. Marit Policy Manag 48(6):846–859. https://doi.org/10.1080/03088839.2020.1803432 [DOI: 10.1080/03088839.2020.1803432]
  37. Mariia K (2019) China’s Arctic policy: present and future. Polar J 9(1):94–112. https://doi.org/10.1080/2154896X.2019.1618558 [DOI: 10.1080/2154896X.2019.1618558]
  38. MARPOL (1973) International convention for the prevention of pollution from ships. https://www.imo.org/en/about/Conventions/Pages/International-Convention-for-the-Prevention-of-Pollution-from-Ships-(MARPOL).aspx . Accessed date 2024-01-02
  39. MEPL (1999) Marine Environment Protection Law of the People’s Republic of China.  http://www.npc.gov.cn/zgrdw/englishnpc/Law/2007-12/13/content_1384046.htm . Accessed date 2024-01-02
  40. Molenaar EJ (2014) Status and reform of international arctic shipping law. In: Tedsen E, Cavalieri S, Kraemer RA (eds) Arctic Marine Governance: Opportunities for Transatlantic Cooperation. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg, Berlin, Heidelberg, pp 127–157 [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-38595-7_6]
  41. MSA (2010) Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on the prevention and control of marine pollution from ships. https://www.msa.gov.cn/page/article.do?type=hsfg&articleId=54A1EE4EF50F4771B28C4B088777B1E4 . Accessed 2024-01-02
  42. Ng AKY, Andrews J, Babb D, Lin Y, Becker A (2018) Implications of climate change for shipping: opening the Arctic seas. WIREs Clim Change 9(2):e507. https://doi.org/10.1002/wcc.507 [DOI: 10.1002/wcc.507]
  43. Pedrozo RP (2021) China’s revised maritime traffic safety law. Int Law Stud 97:956–968
  44. Peng J, Wegge N (2014) China and the law of the sea: implications for Arctic governance. Polar J 4(2):287–305. https://doi.org/10.1080/2154896X.2014.954887 [DOI: 10.1080/2154896X.2014.954887]
  45. Peng J, Wegge N (2015) China’s bilateral diplomacy in the Arctic. Polar Geogr 38(3):233–249. https://doi.org/10.1080/1088937X.2015.1086445 [DOI: 10.1080/1088937X.2015.1086445]
  46. Pettersen T (2014) China to release guidebook on arctic shipping ’ Barents observer. http://www.barentsobserver.com/en/arctic/2014/06/china-release-guidebook-arctic-shipping-20-06 . Accessed 2024-01-02
  47. Prip C (2022) Arctic Ocean governance in light of an of an international legally binding instrument on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction. Mar Policy 142:103768. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2019.103768 [DOI: 10.1016/j.marpol.2019.103768]
  48. Qin T, Li M (2017) Strengthening China’s role in the Arctic council. In: Koivurova T, Qin T, Nykänen T, Duyck S (eds) Arctic law and governance: the role of China, Finland and the EU. Hart Publishing, Oxford, pp 19–42
  49. Riedel A (2014) The Arctic marine environment. In: Tedsen E, Cavalieri S, Kraemer RA (eds) Arctic marine governance: opportunities for transatlantic cooperation. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg, Berlin, Heidelberg, pp 21–43 [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-38595-7_2]
  50. Rowe EW (2018) Arctic governance: power in cross-border cooperation. Manchester University Press, Manchester [DOI: 10.7765/9781526131645]
  51. Sakhuja V (2014) The Polar Code and Arctic navigation. Strateg Anal 38(6):803–811. https://doi.org/10.1080/09700161.2014.952943 [DOI: 10.1080/09700161.2014.952943]
  52. Schreiber M (2018) A new China-Iceland Arctic science observatory is already expanding its focus (October 31, 2018). In: Arctic Today. https://www.arctictoday.com/new-china-iceland-arctic-science-observatory-already-expanding-focus/ .  Accessed 2024-01-02
  53. Sergunin A, Gjørv GH (2020) The politics of Russian Arctic shipping: evolving security and geopolitical factors. Polar J 10(2):251–272. https://doi.org/10.1080/2154896X.2020.1799613 [DOI: 10.1080/2154896X.2020.1799613]
  54. Staalesen A (2013) ‘First container ship on northern sea route’ Barents observer. http://www.barentsobserver.com/en/arctic/2013/08/first-container-ship-northern-sea-route-21-08 . Accessed 2024-01-02
  55. Stepien A, Kauppila L, Kopra S et al (2020) Chapter 6 China’s economic presence in the Arctic: realities, expectations and concerns. In: Koivurova T, Kopra S (eds) Chinese policy and presence in the Arctic. Brill | Nijhoff, Leiden, The Netherlands, pp 90–136 [DOI: 10.1163/9789004408425_007]
  56. Su P, Huntington HP (2023) Using critical geopolitical discourse to examine China’s engagement in Arctic affairs. Territ Politic Gov 11(3):590–607. https://doi.org/10.1080/21622671.2021.1875035 [DOI: 10.1080/21622671.2021.1875035]
  57. Sun K (2014) Beyond the dragon and the panda: understanding China’s engagement in the Arctic. Asia Policy 18:46–51. https://doi.org/10.1353/asp.2014.0023 [DOI: 10.1353/asp.2014.0023]
  58. Sun Y (2016) The changing role of China in global environmental governance. Rising Powers Quarterly 1(2):43–54
  59. Sun Z (2022) Chapter 18 The role of East Asian Port States in addressing ship-source pollution in Arctic shipping. Brill | Nijhoff, Leiden, The Netherlands, pp 274–292
  60. Theocharis D, Pettit S, Rodrigues VS, Haider J (2018) Arctic shipping: a systematic literature review of comparative studies. J Transp Geogr 69:112–128. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2018.04.010 [DOI: 10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2018.04.010]
  61. UNCTAD (2021) United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Fact sheet of maritime trasnport. https://unctadstat.unctad.org/wds/ReportFolders/reportFolders.aspx .
  62. Xing H, Cao X, Su Z (2022) The rule of law for marine environmental governance in maritime transport: China’s experience. Front Mar Sci 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2022.1083420
  63. Yamineva Y (2020) Reducing China’s black carbon emissions: an Arctic dimension. https://www.thearcticinstitute.org/reducing-china-black-carbon-emissions-arctic-dimension/ . Accessed 2024-01-02
  64. Yang J (2021) Arctic governance and China’s engagement. https://www.cnarc.info/images/publications/SIIS/arctic%20governance%20and%20chinas%20engagement.pdf . Accessed 2024-01-02
  65. Yang Z (2018) China’s participation in the global ocean governance reform: its lessons and future approaches. J East Asia Int Law 11(2):315–333 [DOI: 10.14330/jeail.2018.11.2.03]
  66. Yu M (2014) China being a maritime power under the UNCLOS: issues and ways ahead. J East Asia Int Law 7(2):313–334 [DOI: 10.14330/jeail.2014.7.2.01]
  67. Yuhan N (2023) China revises law on marine environment protection. https://chinadialogue.net/en/digest/china-revises-law-on-marine-environment-protection/ . Accessed 2024-01-02
  68. Zhang Q, Wan Z, Fu S (2020) Toward sustainable Arctic shipping: perspectives from China. Sustainability 12(21):9012. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12219012 [DOI: 10.3390/su12219012]
  69. Zhou X, Min C, Yang Y, Landy JC, Mu L, Yang Q (2021) Revisiting trans-Arctic maritime navigability in 2011–2016 from the perspective of sea ice thickness remote sensing. 13

MeSH Term

Arctic Regions
China
Climate Change
Environmental Pollution
Ships
Journal Article

Word Cloud

Created with Highcharts 10.0.0ArcticChina'sChinalegalrolegloballandscapeinterestsinvolvementstatesstudyinternationalpollutionsenvironmentpastdecadeclimatechangerapidmeltingpolaricedramaticallytransformedvastice-coveredareaseasonallynavigableseaaccessibilitysparkedincreasedcommercialactivityposingthreatvariouspollutantsparticularlyvesselsourcesGivenprofoundshippingmayfaceresistancethereforeimportantensurepresencebenefitslocalcommunitiesexploresshapingprotectvessel-sourceintricateinterplayeconomicmaritimesecurityconcernsenvironmentalcommitmentsunderscorespotentialaligningexistingstructuresUNCLOSMARPOLalreadystarteddemonstratecommitmentpreservingassessesdiscussespotentiallystrategicimportanceinfluencingregimesofferingcrucialcontributioneffortspreservevitalregionprotectingvessels:perspectiveLawMarinePollutionShippingVessel

Similar Articles

Cited By