PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA COOPERATION WITH JAPAN AND THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA IN THE FIELD ON ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION

Abstract

The paper discusses the cooperation between the People’s Republic of China, Japan and the Republic of Korea in the field of environment protection. Northeastern China, coming in touch with the Korean Peninsula as well as with Japan through the Sea of Japan, is located in the center of NEA and exploits natural resources of this region jointly with other countries. Economic development and the increased demand of the Chinese society for a healthy environment make the Chinese authorities pay more attention for the environment protection and cooperate with other countries in this field when need arises.

The paper concludes that at present, the “soft” nature of NEA countries’ cooperation in the field of environment protection is primarily limited to promulgating declarations and laying down plans without adopting their implementation mechanisms. These documents may be considered a theoretical foundation and a set of principles for working out concepts of further cooperation. One has to take into account, however, that all the documents on parties’ intents are of no practical value and are not enforceable. NEA lacks organizations whose goals and objectives reflect collective interests of all countries of the region, with long-term plans of cooperation in the field of environment protection. That is why many pressing environmental issues cannot have prompt and quality solutions in the nearest future.