The purpose of this master thesis is to investigate why the Arctic is important for China. The master thesis will include key reasons to substantiate the analysis of why the Arctic is important for China, while using Ripsman, Norrin, and Taliferro’s neoclassical realist theory. The theory and its variables will be used as an explanatory tool to substantiate the analysis of the thesis. The master thesis will demonstrate multiple reasons to substantiate and answer the problem formulation Why is the Arctic Important for China?
The first part of the master thesis is an introduction to the Arctic and China’s involvement in the region. The second part contains the methodology, and its sub-categories will be explained. The third part contains the theory and its variables used in the thesis and why it is relevant for this thesis. The fourth part contains the analysis of the master thesis, which will be followed by a conclusion. Throughout the master thesis, the reader will obtain an understanding and analysis of factors to why the Arctic is important for China, which finally will end with the conclusion of the master thesis.