張明副部長中國國別專題會議主旨發言

中國的北極活動與政策主張
China in the Arctic: Practices and Policies

——外交部副部長張明在“第三屆北極圈論壇大會”中國國別專題會議上的主旨發言
– Keynote Speech by Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Ming at the China Country Session of the Third Arctic Circle Assembly

2015年10月16日，冰島雷克雅未克
Reykjavik, Iceland, October 16, 2015

尊敬的奧拉維爾·拉格納·格里姆鬆總統閣下，
女士們、先生們，
Your Excellency President Olafur Ragnar Grimsson,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

中國代表團榮幸地在本屆北極圈論壇大會上舉辦國別專題會議，主題是“中國貢獻：尊重、合作與共贏”，旨在全方位介紹中國的北極活動和政策主張，讓世界可以更理解中國對北極事務的參與，增進互信、推動合作。
The Chinese delegation is honored to hold this country session during the third Arctic Circle Assembly. With the theme “China’s contribution: respect, cooperation and win-win”, the session aims to present a full picture of China’s Arctic-related practices and policies, help the world better understand China’s participation in the Arctic affairs and promote mutual trust and cooperation.

女士們、先生們，
Ladies and Gentlemen,

早在90年前，中國便將目光投向北極。1925年，中國加入《斯瓦爾巴德條約》，開啓了參與北極事務的進程。上世紀90年代以來，中國開展北極活動的廣度和深度不斷拓展。
China started to turn its eyes to the Arctic as early as 90 years ago. In 1925, it acceded to the Svalbard Treaty, which marked the beginning of China’s participation in Arctic affairs. Since the 1990s, China’s involvement in Arctic activities has been expanding both in depth and breadth.

在科研領域，中國已成功進行六次北極科考，設立了黃河科考站，建立起北極初步觀測體系。中國積極參與北極科研合作，於1996年加入國際北極科學委員會。“雪龍”號科考船多次接納外國專家開展北極研究，中國專家也積極參加北極理事會多個工作組的科研項目。科研是目前中國最主要的北極活動。
In the area of scientific research, China has successfully conducted six scientific expeditions and set up the Arctic Yellow River Station, thus establishing a basic Arctic observation system. For years, China has been an active player in Arctic scientific research and cooperation. It joined the International Arctic Science Committee in 1996. The Chinese icebreaker Snow Dragon has taken foreign experts on quite a number of Arctic expeditions. Chinese experts have also been active in the research projects of several working groups under the Arctic Council. At present, China’s activities in the Arctic mainly focus on scientific research.

在環保領域，中國積極參加並認真履行《保護臭氧層維也納公約》、《氣候變化框架公約》、《生物多樣性公約》等多項涉北極環保的國際條約。中國是第一個制定《應對氣候變化國家方案》的發展中國家。促進環保在中國的北極工作中始終佔據重要地位。
In the area of environmental protection, China has acceded to and earnestly implemented such international treaties as the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Convention on Biological Diversity. It is the first developing country to introduce the National Climate Change Program. And environmental protection has always been high on the agenda of China’s work related to the Arctic.

在航運領域，中國建設性參加國際海事組織《極地規則》制定工作。中國的商船正探索利用北極航道。中國關注北極航道對全球航運乃至貿易格局的重大影響，願以合作、務實的態度參與北極航道相關工作。
In the area of shipping, China has been involved in formulating the Polar Code by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in a constructive manner. Chinese merchant ships are exploring the possibility of taking the Arctic sea routes. China pays close attention to the potential major impact of those sea routes on global shipping and trade, and is ready to participate in the relevant work in a cooperative and practical manner.

關於北極資源開發，中國起步很晚，目前僅有個別企業通過與外國公司合作的方式參與有關項目。中國支持合理、有序開發北極，堅持相關活動應當遵守有關國際規則和北極國家的國內法，尊重北極土著人的利益和關切，保護北極生態環境，以可持續的方式進行。
Regarding the development of Arctic resources, China started rather late in this area with only a few Chinese businesses joining relevant programs through partnership with foreign companies. China supports proper and orderly development of the Arctic. At the same time, relevant activities should be pursued in accordance with international rules and domestic laws of Arctic countries, with due respect to the rights and concerns of the indigenous population, and in an eco-friendly and sustainable manner.

關於北極土著人，中國一貫尊重其傳統和文化，重視北極土著人的關切和需求。2013年，中國承辦了第五屆世界馴鹿養殖者代表大會。中國願繼續通過適當的項目向土著人羣體作出自己的貢獻。中國將向有關基金提供資助，支持北極土著人羣體能力建設。
With respect to the indigenous community in the Arctic region, China respects their traditions and culture and take seriously their concerns and needs. In 2013, China hosted the fifth World Reindeer Herders Congress. Going forward, China will continue to make its contribution to the indigenous community through appropriate programs. It will provide financing support to relevant fund to support the capacity building of the indigenous people.

實踐證明，中國是北極事務建設性的參與者、合作者。中國有意願也有能力爲北極的可持續發展作出更多的貢獻。
What has happened shows that China is a constructive participant in and partner of cooperation in Arctic affairs. Going forward, China is willing and able to make even greater contribution to the sustainable development of the Arctic.

女士們、先生們，
Ladies and Gentlemen,

中國在地理上屬於“近北極國家”，北極地區的自然變化和資源開發對中國的氣候、環境、農業、航運、貿易和社會經濟發展具有直接影響，中國是北極的重要利益攸關方。正如中國外交部長王毅先生在視頻發言中提及的那樣，在參與北極事務方面，中國一貫奉行尊重、合作與共贏三大政策理念。以此爲基礎，中國在北極問題上堅持六項具體的政策主張：
Geographically speaking, China is a “near-Arctic state”. The changing natural environment and resources exploration of the Arctic have direct impact on China’s climate, environment, agriculture, shipping, trade as well as social and economic development. Therefore, China is a major stakeholder in the Arctic. As Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi states in the video message, “China’s participation in Arctic affairs has always been guided by three principles: respect, cooperation and win-win”. On such basis, China insists on six specific policies regarding Arctic affairs.

一是推進探索和認知北極。北極特殊的地理位置和自然環境決定了其重要的科學價值。北極是全球氣候變化的指示器，是全球科學研究的“實驗區”。人類對北極的探索還相對有限，對北極的認知程度不高。各國政府、社會團體、學界和企業應共同努力，進一步加強北極合作，推動全面探索北極，促進深入認識北極，爲保護和利用北極奠定堅實基礎。
First, further explore and understand the Arctic. With its unique geographic location and natural environment, the Arctic has great scientific value as an indicator of global climate change and a “laboratory” for global scientific research. As of today, mankind’s exploration and understanding of the Arctic is still limited. This makes it necessary for governments, social organizations, academia and business community to work together, further strengthen cooperation, and explore and understand the Arctic in a comprehensive way. This will help lay a solid foundation for the better protection and utilization of the Arctic.

二是倡導保護與合理利用北極。北極航道潛力巨大，北極也蘊藏着豐富的資源，同時北極具有脆弱的生態環境。開展北極活動，一方面應保護北極的生態環境，避免其遭受不可逆轉的破壞；另一方面應許可在合理的限度內利用北極航道，有序開發北極資源。北極的保護與合理利用應平衡兼顧。
Second, protect and rationally use the Arctic. The Arctic enjoys great potential as a shipping route and with its rich resources. At the same time, its ecosystem is fragile. Therefore we must strike a balance between protection and utilization, protecting its ecosystem from irreversible damage while exploring the shipping routes and resources to an extent reasonable and in an orderly manner.

三是尊重北極國家和北極土著人的固有權利。北極大陸和島嶼的領土主權歸屬北極國家，北極國家在北極海域擁有領海、專屬經濟區和大陸架。北極土著人約佔北極地區人口的五分之一，具有獨特的人文傳統和生活方式。各國有義務尊重和維護北極國家在北極的主權、主權權利和管轄權。北極土著人的傳統和文化應得到尊重，他們賴以生存的自然環境和資源應得到保護。
Third, respect the inherent rights of Arctic countries and the indigenous people. The territorial sovereignty over the Arctic continent and islands belong to the Arctic states. They enjoy territorial seas, exclusive economic zones and continental shelves in the Arctic. The indigenous people account for one fifth of the Arctic population and have unique cultural traditions and lifestyles. Countries have the obligation to respect and uphold the sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction of the Arctic countries, respect the traditions and culture of the Arctic indigenous people, and protect the natural environment and resources they live on.

四是尊重北極域外國家的權利和國際社會的整體利益。北極海域有公海和國際海底區域。北極域外國家依據國際法有權在北極地區開展科研、航行和開發等活動，上述權利應得到尊重和保障。北極的保護與利用，特別是處理氣候變化、生態、環保、航運等全球性問題有賴於國際社會協同努力，國際社會在北極的整體利益應得到尊重。
Fourth, respect the rights of non-Arctic countries and the overall interests of the international community. The Arctic seas include high seas and international sea-bed areas. Non-Arctic countries have the rights to conduct scientific research, navigation and exploration in the Arctic region under international law, and these rights should be respected and upheld. The international community must work together to protect and utilize the Arctic, and in particular to address such global issues as climate change, ecology, environmental protection and shipping. At the same time, the overall interests of the international community in the Arctic should be respected.

五是構建以共贏爲目標的多層次北極合作框架。北極關乎人類的生存與發展，各國在北極肩負共同責任。應對北極挑戰需要各利益攸關方共同參與，域外國家的知識、技術、資金和市場也可以爲開發北極作出貢獻。中方主張，各方應進一步加強溝通與協調，大力構建全球、區域和國家層面的合作框架，不斷拓展政府與民間的合作渠道，以合作的方式追求共贏。
Fifth, build a multi-tiered Arctic cooperation framework for win-win results. As the Arctic bears on human survival and development, countries share common responsibilities for the Arctic. The challenges in the Arctic require joint contribution of all stakeholders, including the expertise, technology, capital and market that non-Arctic countries may offer. China proposes that all sides further strengthen communication and coordination to build a cooperation framework at the global, regional and national levels, expand channels for governmental and non-governmental cooperation and seek win-win results through cooperation.

六是維護以現有國際法爲基礎的北極治理體系。《聯合國憲章》、《聯合國海洋法公約》、《斯瓦爾巴德條約》等國際文書爲處理北極問題提供了基本法律框架。北極國家和北極域外國家依法享有權利並承擔義務。以規則爲基礎的北極治理體系運作良好。中方支持在現有國際法的框架下推進北極治理，認同北極理事會在北極治理中的重要地位，支持國際海事組織等其他國際平臺在北極治理中發揮積極作用。
Sixth, uphold the Arctic governance system based on existing international law. The United Nations Charter, the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, the Svalbard Treaty and other international instruments provide the basic legal framework for addressing Arctic issues, hence Arctic and non-Arctic countries are entitled to their rights and also shoulder obligations according to law. The rule-based Arctic governance system is working very well. China supports improving Arctic governance under the existing framework of international law, recognizes the important status of the Arctic Council in Arctic governance, and supports the IMO and other international platforms in playing an active role in Arctic governance.

女士們、先生們，
Ladies and Gentlemen,

北極的未來不僅關乎北極國家和北極地區人民的福祉，也關乎國際社會的整體利益。在全球化深入發展的背景下，各方協同努力，以合作的方式探索、認知和利用北極是國際大勢。中國作爲發展中國家，願一如既往地秉持尊重、合作、共贏的理念，與各方加強交流、包容互鑑，攜手共建和平穩定、環境友好和可持續發展的北極。
The future of the Arctic concerns not only the well-being of the Arctic countries and people, but also the overall interests of the entire international community. In this increasingly globalized world, it is all the more important for parties to jointly explore, understand and utilize the Arctic. As a developing country, China will continue to advocate respect, cooperation and win-win results, step up exchange and mutual learning, and work together with others to build an Arctic that enjoys peace, stability, a sound ecosystem and sustainable development.

謝謝大家！
Thank you.