China’s role in the changing governance of Arctic shipping

This paper explores the role that China could play in the development of an effective international legal system for the governance of Arctic shipping. The first part describes the current international legal regime applicable to shipping activities in the Arctic. The second assesses China’s relations with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the Arctic Council. China’s potential contribution to the governance of Arctic shipping is addressed in the final part.