Chinese Coast Guard Announces First Entry into the Arctic Ocean

The Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) has announced that it conducted a joint patrol with Russia in the Arctic Ocean, marking the first time the CCG has entered the waters near the Arctic.

“A fleet of Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessels and Russian Coast Guard ships arrived in the Arctic Ocean a few days ago. This is the first time that Chinese Coast Guard vessels have entered the Arctic Ocean,” the CCG stated on October 2.

The CCG noted that the joint patrol with Russia expands its operational range and tests its ability to “carry out missions in unfamiliar waters.” The force did not specify the exact location of the patrol.

The Russian government has not commented on the event. Russia’s TASS news agency reported on the joint patrol, citing information from the CCG.

The announcement came after the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) reported spotting four CCG vessels and Russian Coast Guard ships “moving in formation towards the northeast” in the Bering Sea, approximately 8 kilometers from Russia’s exclusive economic zone, on September 28.

The Bering Sea, located between Russia and the U.S. state of Alaska, is part of the North Pacific Ocean. It connects to the Arctic Ocean via the Bering Strait, a narrow waterway separating Asia and North America.

“Recent activities indicate that our strategic competitors are increasingly interested in the Arctic region,” said Rear Admiral Megan Dean, commander of the USCG’s 17th District, in a USCG statement.

China has been seeking to enhance its presence in the Arctic for years, which includes the Arctic Ocean, surrounding seas, and parts of the territories of several nations.

The country has declared itself a “near-Arctic state” and is bolstering its icebreaking capabilities and research activities in the region. China is also investing heavily in Russian energy projects in the area.

Russia, one of the eight Arctic nations, has historically been hesitant to welcome China’s presence in this strategically important area for Moscow’s security and military interests. However, observers suggest that Russia’s perspective may have shifted as it strengthens ties with China following the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine.

Last year, the CCG and the Russian Federal Security Service, which oversees the Russian Coast Guard, agreed to “enhance cooperation in maritime law enforcement.” China was also invited to observe Russia’s “Arctic Patrol 2023” security drills.

The U.S. has expressed concerns over China’s growing presence in the Arctic and its increased cooperation with Russia there. In July, the U.S. and Canada deployed forces to monitor Chinese and Russian bombers as they flew together near Alaska for the first time.

Experts believe that the latest joint naval patrol by Russia and China is part of an ongoing effort to deepen their bilateral cooperation while sending a message to the U.S., which is ramping up its presence in the Pacific and engaging in strategic competition with China.