A group of Chinese and Canadian scientists are sitting down to discuss possible collaboration in exploring the Arctic.

The Canadian side has unveiled plans to establish a government research centre for Arctic exploration as part of an event at the Canadian embassy in Beijing.

David Hik is the president of the International Arctic Science Committee with the University of Alberta. "I think this is the conversation we need to have, what the interests are, where the possibilities are, where there's expertise in China that could help us understand more about the changes that are taking place in northern Canada. So it's the scientific questions, but it's also how we do it. And I think it's through sharing our expertise and building long-term relationships."

China has no territorial claims in the arctic. However, Chinese scientists have been involved in research and development projects with countries which do have claims in the Arctic region.

Those countries include Canada, Russia, the United States, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland and Denmark as the governor of Greenland.

The Chinese side has been working with these countries to set up joint research facilities in the Arctic.

Xiao Yang is a researcher at Beijing International Studies University. "No country can independently resolve Arctic issues such as environmental pollution and resource development. As the capabilities of the eight Arctic countries are limited, broader international cooperation will be needed to address Arctic issues."

So far, China has built one Arctic observatory in Norwegian territory.

China has 4 similar stations in the Antarctic.