Conclusions

Abstract

Asian states’ Arctic policies incorporate various tools of economic diplomacy. They use more of political tools to achieve primarily economic goals, rather than economic tools to achieve primarily political goals. Of the five Asian states, China, Japan, and South Korea are more actively engaged in the Arctic using similar approaches in order to secure long-term economic goals. These findings confirm that, for the time being, Asian states regard the economic aspect of the Arctic as far more important than the political aspect. As countries that pursue state-led development, achieving economic security, the economic prosperity, and political stability of a nation remain their primary motivation. Nonetheless, there remain questions around China’s ultimate objective in the Arctic.