On theeveningofNovember30, 2023, the4th lecture of the “Cooperation and Development” series, jointly organized by the School of Political Science and Public Administration at Shandong University, the Institute of SCO Studies of Shandong University, the Institute for Public Safety Research of Shandong University, was successfully held at the meeting room on thefifth floor of Huagangyuan South Building. This lecture is themed "China's Arctic Science Diplomacy", and it is delivered by Dr. Cui Long, the vice dean of the Institute of International Relations at Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University and the director of the Russia-China Research Center. The lecture was chaired by Professor Edmund Li Sheng, Distinguished Professor at the School of Political Science and Public Administration and Executive Dean of the Institute of SCO Studies, Shandong University.

Before the official start of the lecture, Professor Edmund Li Sheng presented the letter of appointment as a researcher of the Institute of SCO Studies of Shandong University to Dr. Cui Long, extended a warm welcome tohimfor joining, and expressed the hope that the two sides could conduct academic exchanges and cooperation in the future.

In the main part of the lecture, Dr. Cui Long introduced the energy situation in the Arctic and the importance of its geopolitical status, elaborated on the relevant concepts of Arctic diplomacy, and analyzed China's concerns and goals regarding the Arctic based on the "Polar Silk Road". While explaining the challenges faced by China's Arctic diplomacy, he also proposed countermeasures. Professor Edmund Li Sheng believed that the warming of the Arctic has significantly increased the developability of the Arctic region, and regional competition has intensified accordingly. There is still extensive room for research in the Arctic region in the future.

In the interactive communication session, teachers and students discussed issues such as the significance of Arctic science diplomacy, how to create endogenous driving forces for China-Russia cooperation in the Arctic, and the prospects of Arctic shipping route development. Professor Huang Dengxue commented on the importance of Arctic geopolitics from the strategic level of great power competition. Professor Edmund Li Sheng outlined the development of China's polar research from a historical perspective and analyzed the prospects and challenges of the "Polar Silk Road" against the backdrop of China-Russia relations. Finally, Professor Edmund Li Sheng summarized the meeting and expressed his gratitude for Dr. Cui Long's wonderful speech.

This lecture provided a communication platform for the teachers and students present to further understand and study relevant issues such as Arctic diplomacy and Russian strategies and diplomacy.The School of Political Science and Public Administration at Shandong University remains committed to providing high-quality academic resources for its faculty and students, both domestically and internationally. We encourage continued attention to the school’s updates and the "Cooperation and Development" lecture series organized by the Institute of SCO Studies.