Both Canada and the United States have been discreetly monitoring two Chinese icebreaking research vessels in Arctic waters off the coast of Alaska for the past few weeks. The Xue Long (Snow Dragon) and Xue Long 2 ships sailed through the U.S. exclusive economic zone in the Bering Sea in July, as reported by the U.S. Coast Guard.
The presence of Chinese research vessels in the Arctic Ocean during summers in recent years has raised concerns among security and defense authorities. Data gathered by Steffan Watkins, an independent research consultant and ship tracker, indicates that a Royal Canadian Air Force CP-140 surveillance plane has been operational in Alaska since early July.
The Department of National Defence confirmed on Friday that the Canadian Joint Operations Command is actively monitoring the activities of the two Chinese ships in collaboration with the U.S. forces. The vessels Xue Long and Xue Long 2 are currently operating outside of Canada’s exclusive economic zone, as stated by defense spokesperson Cheryl Forrest.
Last year, the Canadian military initiated a dedicated effort to enhance monitoring of northern waters and coordinate with allies in the Pacific Ocean, particularly in the Bering Sea off Alaska under Operation Latitude. The Royal Canadian Navy has deployed the frigate HMCS Ottawa, along with the Arctic offshore ships 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 efforts.
When asked about the Chinese vessels, Defence Minister David McGuinty highlighted that the Canadian military actively surveils the country’s waters. China, claiming itself as a near-Arctic state, asserts that its icebreakers are solely engaged in peaceful scientific research, environmental monitoring, and climate change studies. However, these research ships have been observed deploying advanced sonar and telemetry buoys, which Western defense officials suggest are utilized for tracking submarine activities.
Richard Shimooka, a defense researcher at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute in Ottawa, emphasized the multifunctional capabilities of these research ships, including possible submarine tracking. He underlined Canada’s increasing role in the western Pacific, especially as the U.S. Navy is preoccupied with the Iran conflict. Shimooka cautioned that due to the aging frigates and coast guard ships, Canada’s capacity for further action is limited.
Members of the House of Commons defense committee, such as Conservative defense critic James Bezan, stressed the need for increased surveillance in the Arctic due to growing Chinese interest in the region. Bezan highlighted the challenges posed by China’s activities in the Arctic and emphasized the importance of bolstering Canada’s presence to protect its sovereignty.
The federal government’s investments in new destroyers, Arctic-capable submarines, and an undersea sensor network reflect its commitment to bolstering Arctic defense capabilities. Bezan emphasized the urgency of these measures to safeguard Canada’s sovereignty, especially in the face of Russia and China’s disregard for Canadian maritime claims in the Far North.