China-Russia research and education collaboration in the Arctic: opportunities, challenges, and gaps

ABSTRACT Scientific cooperation in the Arctic has been rapidly developing in recent decades. In both technical and technological terms, the capability of Arctic research has significantly increased. The number of stakeholders has expanded, particularly, due to the involvement of non-Arctic countries with China being one of the most prominent actors. Many research and education projects are currently being carried out in close collaboration between China and Arctic states, including Russia. In this paper, the authors summarise priorities and objectives of China and Russia in research and education agenda in the Arctic and reveal promising areas for the two countries to collaborate in multidisciplinary areas of Arctic studies, including environment and climate, ecosystems and ecology, geology and geophysics, hydrology and sea ice. In addition to these, the authors address opportunities and gaps in collaboration in economic, social, and regional development studies, as well as maritime engineering, shipbuilding technologies, and the studies on natural resources. The paper ends up with a discussion of current capacities, potential opportunities, and major challenges for China and Russia to break through in joint research and education projects for the benefit of development and exploration of the Arctic.