Increased Chinese Research Vessel Activity Detected in US Arctic, Coast Guard Says
Udumbara
Chinese research vessels have increased activities in the U.S. Arctic region in the past three years, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) said on Aug. 8.
The Coast Guard said it was monitoring five similar Chinese vessels near the area at the time in the U.S. Arctic, after responding to the vessels Ji Di and the Zhong Shan Da Xue Ji Di, which were traveling northeast in the Bering Sea on Aug. 5.
On Aug. 6, the crew of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Waesche again responded to the Zhong Shan Da Xue Ji Di as it was traveling north in the Chukchi Sea above the Arctic Circle, after passing through the Bering Strait.
The USCG said its fixed-wing aircraft and Coast Guard cutter, which were patrolling under Operation Frontier Sentinel, responded to the Chinese icebreakers to “counter malign activities, defend sovereign interests, and promote maritime conduct consistent with international law and norms.”
In July, the USCG also responded to Chinese research vessel Xue Long 2 north of Utqiagvik, Alaska.
The Epoch Times reached out to the Chinese Foreign Ministry for comment.
“Though not an Arctic nation, the [People’s Republic of China] is attempting to leverage changing dynamics in the Arctic to pursue greater influence and access, take advantage of Arctic resources, and play a larger role in regional governance,” the document says.
The DOD said the increased cooperation between Russia and China, along with other challenges, “have the potential to alter the Arctic’s stability and threat picture,” while giving the DOD a chance to “enhance security in the region by deepening cooperation with Allies and partners.”
