Increased Chinese Research Vessel Activity Detected in US Arctic, Coast Guard Says

The USCG said it was monitoring five Chinese vessels as of Aug. 8, and responded to two in the U.S. Arctic region.

Chinese icebreaker Xuelong, or “Snow Dragon,” sets off from a port in Shanghai on Nov. 8, 2017. STR/AFP via Getty Images

Chinese research vessels have increased activities in the U.S. Arctic region in the past three years, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) said on Aug. 8.

The Coast Guard said it was monitoring five similar Chinese vessels near the area at the time in the U.S. Arctic, after responding to the vessels Ji Di and the Zhong Shan Da Xue Ji Di, which were traveling northeast in the Bering Sea on Aug. 5.