U.S. Coast Guard monitors Chinese ships in Arctic waters…again
The U.S. Coast Guard says it tracked two Chinese research vessels operating in the Arctic Ocean off Alaska this week, part of a pattern sightings that began last month.
On Sunday, Aug. 31, the Liberia-flagged Zhong Shan Da Xue Ji Di was detected about 230 miles north of the arctic city of Utqiagvik, Alaska.
Two days later, on Tuesday, September 2, the Chinese-flagged Ji Di was located roughly 265 miles northwest of the same area.
Both ships were operating on the U.S. Extended Continental Shelf, an area beyond the exclusive economic zone that the United States claims under international law.
This week’s sightings come after the Coast Guard monitored multiple Chinese research vessels — including the Zhong Shan Da Xue Ji Di and Ji Di — transiting the Bering Sea and Chukchi Sea in August.
At the time, officials said their approach was to “meet presence with presence” — making sure foreign ships know they are being watched, establishing communications when possible, and shadowing them until they leave U.S. waters.
The Coast Guard sent the cutter Healy (WAGB 20), an ice-capable vessel, to shadow and question the ships.
A Hercules HC-130J aircraft from Air Station Kodiak flew overhead for support.
The Coast Guard said the deployments followed a joint patrol in the Arctic Ocean on Aug 30, by the cutters Waesche (WMSL 751) and Healy.
Both cutters and the aircraft were operating under Operation Frontier Sentinel, the Coast Guard’s mission to track foreign vessels in U.S. waters and approaches.
Rear Adm. Bob Little, commander of the Coast Guard Arctic District, said the sightings show the importance of presence in the Arctic.
“This operation highlights the value of our ice-capable fleet,” Little said in a statement.
“The U.S. Coast Guard is controlling, securing, and defending the northern U.S. border and maritime approaches in the Arctic to protect U.S. sovereignty, and Healy’s operations demonstrate the critical need for more Coast Guard icebreakers to achieve that.”
Beijing looks north
China has steadily expanded its footprint in the Arctic over the past decade, first gaining observer status on the Arctic Council in 2013 and since then, pushing for a more active role in regional affairs.
A 2018 policy paper laid out Beijing’s plan for a “Polar Silk Road,” envisioning large-scale infrastructure and investment projects in the High North.
Much of that effort has focused on energy development and partnerships in Russia’s Arctic — most recently, this week’s announcement of the planned “Power of Siberia 2” pipeline, which could eventually deliver gas from Yamal fields through Mongolia to China.
In addition to energy ties, Beijing and Moscow are also deepening security cooperation.
Their coast guard vessels sailed together through the Bering Sea that separates Russia and Alaska as recently as 2024, staying within Russia’s exclusive economic zone but just eight km from U.S. waters.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Canada, Finland signal Arctic priorities with new strategic partnership, CBC News
Denmark: Denmark to expand Arctic surveillance with purchase of long-range drones, Reuters
Greenland: Europeans step up Arctic diplomacy amid U.S. and global pressure, Eye on the Arctic
Finland: Growing military presence burdens Sámi livelihood: report, The Independent Barents Observer
Iceland: Europe’s Von der Leyen strengthens Arctic security ties with Iceland during visit, Eye on the Arctic
Norway: Amid Norway’s celebration of Svalbard Treaty comes another verbal attack from Moscow, Reuters
Russia: Cargo ship involved in weapons deliveries from North Korea makes port call in Arkhangelsk,The Associated Press
Sweden: Europe and the US stand united ahead of Alaska meeting: Swedish PM, Radio Sweden
United States: Arctic security at stake: U.S. commission outlines urgent research priorities, The Associated Press
