Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-fbnjt Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-06T01:20:47.434Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Coming of age? Asian Arctic research, 2004–2013

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 September 2015

Iselin Stensdal*
Affiliation:
Fridtjof Nansen Institute, P.O.Box 326, NO-1326 Lysaker, Norway ([email protected])

Abstract

This article surveys ten years of Asian involvement with Arctic research, from 2004 to 2013. The Asian countries have consolidated their Arctic research efforts, with publication output, funding and infrastructure showing a marked increase from 2008. Most of this research is in the natural sciences and relates to climate change, but there is also an emerging branch of social science studies. National polar institutes play important roles as links between the science communities and governments. Asian polar research still focuses more on Antarctica than the Arctic. As to the relationship between research and policies, there is little evidence that the Asian governments have aspirations of gaining political influence through their Arctic research.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2015 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

AFoPS (Asian Forum for Polar Sciences). 2015. Who are we? Incheon: AfoPS. URL: http://www.afops.org/m11.php (accessed 29 May 2015).Google Scholar
Aksnes, D. W., Rørstad, K. and Røsdal, T.. 2012. Norsk polarforskning – forskning på Svalbard. Ressursinnsats og vitenskapelig publisering – indikatorer 2010 [Norwegian Polar Research – research at Svalbard. Resource input and scientific publishing – Indicators 2010]. Oslo: Nordic Institute for Studies in Innovation, Research and Education (report 3/2012).Google Scholar
AsiArctic. 2013. The China–Nordic Arctic Research Center (CNARC) officially launched. URL: http://asiarctic.no/index.php/other-events/147-the-china-nordic-arctic-research-center-cnarc-officially-launched (accessed 2 July 2014).Google Scholar
Blank, S. 2013. China's Arctic strategy. The Diplomat, 20 June 2013. URL: http://thediplomat.com/2013/06/chinas-arctic-strategy/?allpages=yes (accessed 4 November 2014).Google Scholar
Brady, A.-M. 2010. China's rise in Antarctica? Asian Survey 50 (4): 759785.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
CAA (Chinese Arctic and Antarctic Administration). 2008. Arctic research activites of the Chinese (in Chinese). URL: http://www.chinare.cn/caa/gb_article.php?modid=04010 (accessed 3 October 2014).Google Scholar
CAA (Chinese Arctic and Antarctic Administration). 2011. CAA's main responsibilities (in Chinese). URL: http://www.chinare.cn/caa/gb_article.ph?modid=02001 (accessed 2 October 2014).Google Scholar
CAST (China Association for Science and Technology). 2012a. China launches polar environmental assessments. Beijing: CAST. URL: http://english.cast.org.cn/n1181872/n1182018/n1182078/13722705.html (accessed 2 October 2014).Google Scholar
CAST (China Association for Science and Technology). 2012b. China to boost Arctic research. Beijing: CAST. URL: http://english.cast.org.cn/n1181872/n1182018/n1182078/13722719.html (accessed 2 October 2014).Google Scholar
Chen, G. 2012. China's emerging Arctic strategy. The Polar Journal 2 (2): 358371.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
China (Government). 2006. China issues guidelines on sci-tech development program. Beijing: Government of China. URL: http://www.gov.cn/english/2006--02/09/content_184426.htm (accessed 2 October 2014).Google Scholar
China Post. 2009. Taiwan, China to conduct polar research. Taipei: China Post, 29 March 2009. URL: http://www.chinapost.com.tw/china/national-news/2009/03/29/202074/Taiwan-China.htm (accessed 29 May 2015).Google Scholar
COMNAP (Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs). 2014. Our members. Christchurch: Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs. URL: https://www.comnap.aq/Members/SitePages/Home.aspx (accessed 2 July 2014).Google Scholar
de Pomereu, J. 2012a. China spreads its polar wings: investigating the infrastructure. Brussels: International Polar Foundation. URL: http://www.sciencepoles.org/article/china-spreads-its-polar-wings-investing-in-infrastructure (accessed 2 October 2014).Google Scholar
de Pomereu, J. 2012b. Korea's polar ambitions. Brussels: International Polar Foundation. URL: http://www.sciencepoles.org/interview/koreas-polar-ambitions (accessed 2 October 2014).Google Scholar
GRENE (Green Network of Excellence). 2011. Introduction of GRENE. Tokyo: GRENE. URL: http://grene.jp/english/about/ (accessed 5 November 2014).Google Scholar
Hallding, K., Han, G. and Olsson, M.. 2009. China's climate- and energy security dilemma: shaping a new path of economic growth. Journal of Current Chinese Affairs 38 (3): 119134.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jakobson, L. and Peng, J.. 2012. China's Arctic aspirations. Stockholm: Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI policy paper 34).Google Scholar
JCAR (Japan Consortium for Arctic Environmental Research). 2012. Japan consortium for Arctic environmental research. Tokyo: JCAR. URL: http://www.jcar.org/english/menu01/ (accessed 26 November 2014).Google Scholar
Jhun, J. G. and Lee, E. J.. 2004. A new East Asian winter monsoon index and associated characteristics of the winter monsoon. Journal of Climate 17 (4): 711726.2.0.CO;2>CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kang, S.-H., Nam, S. I., Yim, J. H., Chung, K. H. and Hong, J.K.. 2012. Cruise report: RV ‘Araon’ ARA03B, August 1–September 10, 2012. Chukchi borderland and Mendeleyev Ridge. Incheon: Korea Polar Research Institute.Google Scholar
Khare, N. 2009. Indian scientific endeavors in Ny-Alesund, Arctic. Antarctic Record 53 (1): 110113.Google Scholar
Kim, J.-D. in press. 2015. Findings and challenges of the North Pacific Arctic Conference. In: Lunde, L., Yang, J. and Stensdal, I. (editors). Asian countries and the Arctic future. Singapore: World Scientific.Google Scholar
KIOST (Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology). 2012a. KIOST backs new future for marine and polar fields. Ansan: KIOST. URL: http://eng.kiost.ac/kordi_eng/main.jsp?sub_num=336&state=view&idx=661&ord=0 (accessed 3 October 2014).Google Scholar
KIOST (Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology). 2012b. KIOST celebrates opening for Korea's marine science development. Ansan: KIOST. URL: http://eng.kiost.ac/kordi_eng/main.jsp?sub_num=360&state=view&idx=663 (accessed 1 November 2014).Google Scholar
KIOST (Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology). 2014. Organization. Ansan: KIOST. URL: http://eng.kiost.ac/kordi_eng/?sub_num=423 (accessed 1 November 2014).Google Scholar
KOPRI (Korea Polar Research Institute). 2009. KOPRI annual report 2008. Incheon: KOPRI.Google Scholar
KOPRI (Korea Polar Research Institute). 2012a. KOPRI history. Incheon: KOPRI. URL: http://eng.kopri.re.kr/home_e/contents/e_1300000/view.cms (accessed 1 November 2014).Google Scholar
KOPRI (Korea Polar Research Institute). 2012b. KOPRI staff. Incheon: KOPRI. URL: http://eng.kopri.re.kr/home_e/contents/e_1600000/eng_staff/staffEng.do (accessed 1 November 2014).Google Scholar
KOPRI (Korea Polar Research Institute). 2012c. KOPRI vision and mission. Incheon: KOPRI. URL: http://eng.kopri.re.kr/home_e/contents/e_1200000/view.cms (accessed 1 November 2014).Google Scholar
Liu, J. P., Curry, J. A., Wang, H. J., Song, M. R. and Horton, R. M. 2012. Impact of declining Arctic sea ice on winter snowfall. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 109 (11): 40744079.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Nayak, S. 2008. Polar research in India. Indian Journal of Marine Sciences 37 (4): 352357.Google Scholar
NCAOR (National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research). 2012. NCAOR. Goa: NCAOR. URL: http://www.ncaor.gov.in/ (accessed 15 November 2014).Google Scholar
NCAOR (National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research). 2013. Annual report 2012–2013. Goa: NCAOR.Google Scholar
NCAOR (National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research). 2014. Delimitation of the outer limits of the continental shelf. Goa: NCAOR. URL: http://www.ncaor.gov.in/pages/researchview/8 (accessed 4 November 2014).Google Scholar
Nielsson, E. T. 2013. The Arctic at a crossroads: north meets east. Arctic Update. URL: http://www.dnv.com/industry/oil_gas/publications/updates/arctic_update/2012/01_2012/the_arctic_at_a_crossroads.asp (accssed 3 March 2015).Google Scholar
NIPR (National Institute of Polar Research). 2009. Asian forum for polar sciences (AFoPS). Report to XXXII ATCM. Buenos Aires: Secretariat of the Antarctic Treaty. URL: www.ats.aq/documents/ATCM32/ip/Atcm32_ip089_e.doc (accessed 4 November 2014).Google Scholar
NIPR (National Institute of Polar Research). 2012a. Arctic environment research center. Tokyo: National Institute of Polar Research, Division for Polar Research, Arctic Environment Research Center. URL: http://www.nipr.ac.jp/english/polar-research02.html (accessed 1 November 2014).Google Scholar
NIPR (National Institute of Polar Research). 2012b. National Institute of Polar Research Japan 2012–2013. Tokyo: NIPR.Google Scholar
NIPR (National Institute of Polar Research). 2014. Arctic climate change research project. Tokyo: NIPR. URL: http://www.nipr.ac.jp/grene/e/index.html (accessed 2 June 2014).Google Scholar
Ohnishi, F. in press. 2015. Japan's Arctic policy development: from engagement to a strategy. In: Lunde, L., Yang, J. and Stensdal, I. (editors). Asian countries and the Arctic future. Singapore: World Scientific.Google Scholar
Pendlebury, D.A. 2008. White paper: using bibliometrics in evaluating research. Sydney: Thomson ReutersGoogle Scholar
PRIC (Polar Research Institute of China). 2013. Substantial progress has been made on the China–Iceland Joint Aurora Observatory. Shanghai: PRIC. URL: http://www.pric.gov.cn/detail/News.aspx?id=92739a68-d8d3–4f2c-87d2–637677274d14 (accessed 6 June 2014).Google Scholar
ROIS (Research Organization of Information and Systems). 2011. Research organization of information and systems 2011. Tokyo: ROIS. URL: http://www.rois.ac.jp/pdf/youran_2011e.pdf (accessed 5 December 2014).Google Scholar
RUV (Icelandic National Broadcasting Service). 2014. 300 milljónir í norðurljósarannsóknir [300 millions to northern research]. Reykjavik: RUV. URL: http://www.ruv.is/frett/300-milljonir-i-nordurljosarannsoknir (accessed 5 November 2014).Google Scholar
SaGAA (National Conference on Science and Geopolitics of Arctic and Antarctic). 2011. Brochure. New Delhi: SaGAA. URL: http://www.sagaa.co.in/pdf_files/brochure.pdf (accessed 26 October 2012).Google Scholar
Shimada, K., Kamoshida, T., Itoh, M., Nishino, S., Carmack, E., McLaughlin, F., Zimmermann, S. and Proshutinsky, A.. 2006. Pacific Ocean inflow: Influence on catastrophic reduction of sea ice cover in the Arctic Ocean. Geophysical Research Letters 33 (8): L08605.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Srinivas, T. N. R., Rao, S. S. S. N., Reddy, P. V. V., Pratibha, M. S., Sailaja, B., Kavya, B., Kishore, K. H., Begum, Z., Singh, S. M. and Shivaji, S.. 2009. Bacterial diversity and bioprospecting for cold-active lipases, amylases and proteases, from culturable bacteria of Kongsfjorden and Ny-Alesund, Svalbard, Arctic. Current Microbiology 59 (5): 537547.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
The Economist. 2014. China and the Arctic: polar bearings. The Economist, 15 July 2014: 47.Google Scholar
World Bank. 2014. World databank. Washington DC: World Bank. URL: http://databank.worldbank.org/data/home.aspx (accessed 5 November 2014).Google Scholar
Young, O. R. 2011. If an Arctic Ocean treaty is not the solution, what is the alternative? Polar Record 47 (04): 327334.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Z News. 2014. Presidential visit helps India establish presence in key Arctic region. New Delhi: Z News. 20 October 2014. URL: http://zeenews.india.com/news/india/presidential-visit-helps-india-establish-presence-in-key-arctic-region_1487403.html (accessed 5 November 2014).Google Scholar