Northeast Asia Regional Energy Cooperation: Issues, Challenges And Prospects

The Northeast Asia region is one of the most energy-hungry areas in the world, andit is also with the most complicated areas geopolitics and geoeconomicssituation,which makes the energy geopolitics and geoeconomics situation have twofaces in this area,on one hand,there are energy nationalism actions and confrontationsamong countries under the guide of Cold War mentality and realism;on the otherhand,there are also interdependence and energy cooperations of mutual benefit.Therefore,to analyze the Northeast Asian energy conflicts and cooperations,we shouldkeep close eyes on the geopolitical and geo-economical features of this region.This thesis shares seven sections to discuss the issue of Northeast Asian energyfrom a geo-political and geo-economical point of view. The first chapter is theintroduction to this paper,which introduces the research background and significanceof the thesis, current research status,research methods and means,the basicalarchitecture and innovative point of the thesis.Chapter II Chapter III is the basis oftheoretical framework and the breakthrough point of this thesis.From the beginning of basic geopolitical theories and its developing threads,Thisthesis sorts out the changing theoretical pattern and the transformation from theclassic geopolitical theories to those new theories through the two World Wars,theCold War,and the "9.11"event. There is an close theoretical continuity fromgeopolitics to geoeconomics,and to geopolinomics.Through the analyzing the status,characteristics and trends of Northeast Asia’s geopolitics, geo-economics,we foundthat geopolitics still dominates regional affairs, meanwhile, there is also signs ofgeo-economic characteristics,so it can be called as a geopolinomical status. As thepolitical and economical attribute of energy is inextricably linked with each other inthe national strategy, this paper developed the scope and elements of energygeopolinomics,from the concepts of energy geopolitics and geoeconomics, and take itas a comprehensive concept for further illustration, instead of separating geopoliticswith geo-economics.Based on the description of current energy reserves and demand situation in theNortheast Asia, the fourth chapter of the thesis analyzed Northeast Asia’s energysecurity issues from four angles,energy availability, energy affordability, energysustainability,and energy reliability,highlighted the necessity and urgency of regionalenergy cooperation.Then further summarized and elaborated the geo-political andgeo-economical factors that affecting energy cooperation in Northeast Asia.Mutualdistrust,nervous relationships among regional countries,disputes and conflicts onsovereign and territory issues,the great energy exporter country Russia’s energypolicy,the changing situation of Korean peninsula,and the impact of U.S., etc.,are the complex geo-factors that have influence on Northeast Asian energy cooperations.Although disputes and competition on energy is fierce in this region, there is stillconsiderable progresses and the prospects of energy cooperation is optimistic, the fifthchapter of the this thesis summed up many aspects of progress made on energycooperation in Northeast Asia,such as the cooperations on infrastructureconstruction,energy-saving technology and clean energy, mechanism buildingcooperation, and also made some prospects.The last chapter of the thesis made a concluding remarks that energy competitionsunder the control of nation states will continue to be the main theme of this region,while the region’s future energy cooperation paradigm is to make a balance amongenergy security, environmental sustainability, security and diplomatic goals.Mutualpolitical trust,the spillover of clean energy and energy conservation technology, aswell as energy mechanisms would be three pillars of energy cooperation of NortheastAsia,they would also further promote the development of Northeast Asia energyCommunity and the construction of East Asia Community.