The US Coast Guard has responded to the presence of the Chinese icebreaker and research vessel Xue Long 2, which was detected approximately 130 nautical miles within the United States’ extended continental shelf (ECS) north of Alaska. This intervention occurred on July 26, 2023, according to an official statement from the Coast Guard.
The Coast Guard deployed a C-130J Hercules aircraft from Air Station Kodiak to monitor the vessel’s activities. The ECS allows the United States exclusive rights to manage both living and non-living resources within this maritime zone, which extends 200 nautical miles from the country’s coastline.
Strategic Implications of Chinese Presence
While US Northern Command frequently reports on encounters with Russian military aircraft, such interactions with Chinese vessels are less common. China’s designation of itself as a “near-Arctic state” has been met with skepticism from the United States and its allies. The growing presence of China’s icebreaker fleet, particularly vessels like Xue Long 2, raises concerns due to their dual-use capabilities for both military and commercial purposes.
During the Biden administration, Pentagon officials have indicated that China is leveraging its relationship with Russia to strengthen its Arctic claims. The Global Times, a state-run Chinese publication, criticized the US for what it termed a sudden expansion of its ECS by one million square kilometers. The article suggested that this move was part of a broader narrative to justify US actions in the Arctic, portraying the US as a “global troublemaker.”
Official Reactions to the Incident
Rear Adm. Bob Little, commander of the US Coast Guard Arctic District, emphasized the importance of monitoring foreign vessel activity to safeguard US territorial integrity. He stated, “The U.S. Coast Guard, alongside partners and other agencies, vigilantly monitors and responds to foreign government vessel activity in and near U.S. waters to secure territorial integrity and defend sovereign interests against malign state activity.”
Concerns regarding Xue Long 2 were echoed by Cmdr. Samuel Blase, executive officer of the American icebreaker Polar Star. He described the vessel’s unannounced presence in American waters as “concerning and outside international norms” in a recent LinkedIn post.
Prior to this incident, the Canadian military had reported actively monitoring the Xue Long 2 as it navigated through Arctic waters. This highlights the increasing scrutiny of Chinese maritime activities in the region, reflecting wider geopolitical tensions surrounding Arctic sovereignty and resource management.
As nations assert their claims in the Arctic, the dynamics of international maritime law and military presence will continue to evolve, drawing attention from both regional and global stakeholders.