The Coast Guard has issued a warning regarding increased activity from Chinese research vessels in the US Arctic. Recently, they detected and responded to two such vessels and are currently keeping an eye on a total of five in or around the area.
On August 5, a C-130J Hercules aircraft was dispatched from the Aviation Bureau Kodiak to investigate the Chinese research vessel Zhong Shan da Xue ji di. The following day, the US Coast Guard Cutter Waesche also responded to the same vessel as it navigated through the Bering Strait and north of the Chukchi Sea.
In a related context, the Coast Guard shared aerial images of the Zhong Shan da Xue ji di, which were captured by the C-130J Hercules. The Coast Guard noted that these aircraft are active under Operation Frontier Sentinel, aimed at monitoring and responding to maritime threats in the region.
Earlier in July, the Coast Guard’s Arctic Area deployed a similar aircraft to refer to another Chinese vessel, Xue Long 2, approximately 290 nautical miles north of Utkiagbik, Alaska. Authorities have observed an increasing trend in the presence of Chinese ships in this area over the past three years.
The Coast Guard emphasized their commitment to working with international partners, the U.S. Northern Command, and Alaska Command to ensure security and compliance with both U.S. and international law regarding foreign operations near American sovereignty and the extended continental shelf.
