Canadian Navy Monitors Chinese Research Vessel in Arctic, Says Foreign Actors ‘Collecting Intelligence’

Royal Canadian Navy crew line up during a ceremony for the HMCS Regina at CFB Esquimalt in Esquimalt, B.C., Apr. 29, 2016. The Canadian Press/Chad Hipolito

A Canadian warship was deployed to the Bering Strait in July to keep an eye on a Chinese polar research vessel as it navigated the passage between Russia and Alaska, underscoring Beijing’s growing interest in the region.

The HMCS Regina shadowed the Chinese Research Vessel Xue Long 2 sometime between July 7 when it left its home port of Esquimalt, B.C., and July 25 when it returned.