Arctic Opportunities and Challenges

This book focuses on the participation and interaction of the three great powers-i.e., China, Russia, and the United States-in Arctic affairs from an international relations perspective. Global climate change has become a shared problem for all mankind. One of its key elements is the warming of the Arctic, which is affecting every dimension of nature and humanity globally. Climate change in the Arctic will directly affect natural ecosystems, coastal areas, forests, water resources, agricultural production, animal husbandry, tourism, and other economic activities in various countries around the globe. For the Northeast Asian region, however, the opening of the Arctic Passage by melting sea ice presents an opportunity. The current international legal regime for governance in the Arctic is insufficient to cope with the challenges of global warming. This book will be of interest to scholars following the future development of the Arctic and the role of China as a newcomer to Arctic affairs.

Professor Edmund Li Sheng received his M.A. and Ph.D. in political economy from Universitaet Freiburg, Germany, after graduating with a B.A. from Peking University. He is currently Professor and Associate Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Macau.