Canada and the United States have been discreetly monitoring the movements of two Chinese icebreaking research vessels in the Arctic waters near Alaska for the past couple of weeks. The Xue Long (Snow Dragon) and Xue Long 2 ships navigated north through the U.S. exclusive economic zone in the Bering Sea in July, as reported by the U.S. Coast Guard.
The recurring presence of Chinese research vessels in the Arctic Ocean during the summer has raised concerns among security and defense authorities. Recent data gathered by Steffan Watkins, an independent research consultant and ship tracker, indicates that a Royal Canadian Air Force CP-140 surveillance aircraft has been operational in Alaska since early July.
The Department of National Defence confirmed on Friday that the Canadian Joint Operations Command has been actively monitoring the activities of the two Chinese vessels in coordination with the American authorities. The defense spokesperson, Cheryl Forrest, stated that both ships are currently operating outside of Canada’s exclusive economic zone, which refers to the ocean area beyond territorial waters where the country holds sovereign rights over resources and jurisdiction concerning research and marine environment protection activities.
Last year, the Canadian military initiated a focused effort to enhance surveillance in northern waters and collaborate with Pacific allies, specifically in the Bering Sea near Alaska, under Operation Latitude. The Royal Canadian Navy has deployed the frigate HMCS Ottawa, along with the Arctic offshore vessels HMCS Max Bernays and HMCS Robert Hampton Gray, in addition to the air force’s surveillance aircraft. Canadian Special Operations Forces Command personnel and the icebreaker CCGS Des Groseilliers are also participating in these monitoring efforts.
When asked about the presence of the Chinese ships, Defence Minister David McGuinty emphasized the active monitoring of Canadian waters by the military. China, asserting its status as a near-Arctic state, has repeatedly stated that its icebreakers are solely engaged in peaceful scientific research, environmental monitoring, and global climate studies. However, these research ships are known to deploy advanced sonar and telemetry buoys, which Western defense officials claim are useful for tracking not only environmental changes but also submarine activities.
Richard Shimooka, a defense researcher at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute in Ottawa, highlighted the versatility of the Chinese research ships, suggesting their potential for various operations. Canada’s role in the western Pacific has become more significant, especially as the U.S. Navy is preoccupied with activities in the Middle East. However, Shimooka cautioned that due to the aging fleet of Canadian frigates and coast guard ships, the country’s capacity for additional activities is limited.
Members of the House of Commons defense committee, after visiting the Arctic in July, expressed the need for increased surveillance in the region. Conservative defense critic James Bezan emphasized the importance of monitoring China’s activities in the Arctic, particularly in light of their growing cooperation with Russia in the region. The federal government has started investing in the construction of new destroyers, acquiring Arctic-capable submarines, and deploying an undersea sensor network to safeguard Canada’s interests in the Arctic region. Bezan stressed the urgency of these actions to protect the country’s sovereignty amid challenges from Russia and China, who do not recognize Canada’s maritime claims in the Far North.