According to the Coast Guard, the Chinese-flagged research vessel “Xue Long 2” was spotted operating within the US Extended Continental Shelf (ECS) in the Arctic.
The icebreaker “Xue Long 2” was located approximately 290 nautical miles north of Utqiagvik in northern Alaska, 130 nautical miles within the ECS area. It was reported to be an icebreaker from the Polar Research Institute of China.
A Coast Guard aircraft (Lockheed C-130 Hercules) stationed in Kodiak responded to the presence of the foreign vessel and took photographs. The US has the exclusive right to maintain and manage the resources of its ECS.
“The U.S. Coast Guard, along with partners and other agencies, closely monitors and responds to the activities of foreign government vessels in and near U.S. waters to safeguard territorial integrity and defend sovereign interests against malicious government activity,” said Rear Adm. Bob Little, commander of the Arctic District. The reason for the ship’s presence in US territorial waters is not yet known, but the situation will continue to be monitored.
The aircraft was deployed as part of the district’s “Frontier Sentinel” operation. It serves to “counter hostile activity in or near Alaskan waters with equal justification”, according to a Coast Guard statement.
