In a significant development, China’s Coast Guard announced its first-ever entry into Arctic Ocean waters as part of a joint patrol with Russia, reflecting deepening relations between the two nations in a region where China aims to broaden its influence.
According to a CNN report, the statement comes in the wake of the US Coast Guard’s observation of four vessels from the Russian Border Guard and Chinese Coast Guard operating in the Bering Sea, marking the northernmost sighting of Chinese ships in that area. The China Coast Guard (CCG) characterized the joint mission as a way to expand operational capabilities and test their effectiveness in unfamiliar maritime environments. They shared a message on their official social media, highlighting their commitment to the Communist Party during this patrol.
While the Russian government has not officially confirmed the joint operation, Chinese state broadcaster CCTV mentioned it took place “a few days ago,” and Russian media outlet TASS echoed the CCG’s announcement. The US Coast Guard reported that they detected the vessels transiting in a northeast direction about five miles within Russia’s Exclusive Economic Zone.
The Bering Sea, situated between Russia and Alaska, connects to the Arctic Ocean via the Bering Strait. The recent activity has raised alarms in Washington, as US officials express concerns about China’s growing collaboration with Russia in the strategically vital Arctic region.
Past incidents include joint air patrols by Russian and Chinese bombers near Alaska and coordinated naval operations in international waters off Alaska. This latest patrol underscores a broader trend of collaboration, signaling to the US that China is extending its maritime reach into traditionally contested domains.
