Canada and the United States have been discreetly shadowing two Chinese icebreaking research vessels in Arctic waters near Alaska for the past few weeks. The Xue Long (Snow Dragon) and Xue Long 2 sailed north through the U.S. exclusive economic zone in the Bering Sea in July, as reported by the U.S. Coast Guard.
The presence of Chinese research ships in the Arctic Ocean during summers in recent years has raised concerns among security and defense officials. Steffan Watkins, an independent research consultant and ship tracker, has gathered data indicating that a Royal Canadian Air Force CP-140 surveillance plane has been active in Alaska since early July.
The Department of National Defence confirmed on Friday that the Canadian Joint Operations Command is actively monitoring the movements of the two Chinese vessels in coordination with the U.S. “The Canadian Joint Operations Command is actively monitoring maritime traffic in the Arctic, including the vessels Xue Long and Xue Long 2,” stated defence spokesperson Cheryl Forrest.
Forrest further clarified that both ships are currently operating beyond Canada’s exclusive economic zone, an oceanic area where the country exercises sovereign rights over resources and jurisdiction over activities such as research and marine environment protection.
Last year, the Canadian military initiated efforts to enhance monitoring in northern waters and collaborate with allies in the Pacific, including the Bering Sea off Alaska, through Operation Latitude. The Royal Canadian Navy has deployed several assets, including the frigate HMCS Ottawa, Arctic offshore ships, and surveillance aircraft from the air force.
Addressing the Chinese ships, Defence Minister David McGuinty emphasized that the Canadian military actively surveils the country’s waters. Despite China’s declaration as a near-Arctic state focusing on peaceful scientific research and environmental monitoring, concerns arise due to the advanced sonar and telemetry buoys deployed by these research vessels, which can also track submarine activities.
As Canada assumes a more significant role in the western Pacific amid U.S. Navy commitments, concerns persist over the aging Canadian naval fleet’s capabilities. Members of the House of Commons defense committee, including Conservative defense critic James Bezan, stressed the need for increased surveillance in the Arctic to counter rising Chinese interest in the region.
The federal government has embarked on substantial investments in new destroyers, Arctic-capable submarines, and the deployment of undersea sensor networks to safeguard national sovereignty in the Arctic. Bezan underscored the urgency of bolstering Arctic defenses as Russia and China challenge Canada’s maritime claims in the Far North, emphasizing the need to protect vital resources and counter potential adversaries.