The Canadian military and potentially the coast guard are monitoring a Chinese research vessel as it returns to Arctic waters off Alaska for the second consecutive year. Data from an independent researcher and ship tracker, Steffan Watkins, indicates that a Canadian air force CP-140 surveillance plane was in the vicinity of the Xue Long (Snow Dragon) 2 as it left the Bering Strait recently.
According to Watkins’s findings, the aircraft transitioned from its base in Comox, B.C., to Anchorage, Alaska, on July 9. Since then, it has conducted four patrols, including the most recent one involving the Xue Long 2, which is China’s inaugural domestically constructed polar research vessel.
While public flight tracking data displayed the CP-140’s patrol route, the Department of National Defence declined to confirm the aircraft’s presence on Monday. However, in a statement released on Tuesday, Maj. Alexander Naraine, a spokesperson for the military’s joint operations centre, mentioned ongoing monitoring of the Xue Long 2 by a CP-140 Aurora aircraft based out of Alaska.
Naraine emphasized the continuous monitoring of the vessel as long as it remains near Canadian territorial waters. He highlighted the activities of competitor nations exploring Arctic waters and the sea floor, conducting surveillance and intelligence gathering using research vessels and surveillance platforms.
The Canadian Coast Guard reported that it is overseeing efforts to combat illegal fishing activities. The CCGS Sir Wilfrid Laurier appeared to shadow the Xue Long 2 from Japan into Russian waters, maintaining a parallel course in international waters. The coast guard ship stayed with the Xue Long 2 until it crossed the Bering Strait.
Initially, the coast guard provided a vague response about the mission of the Sir Wilfrid Laurier, referencing a media release about high seas patrols to counter illegal fishing. Later, the agency denied shadowing the Xue Long 2, stating the focus was on monitoring migratory routes of key species like Pacific salmon.
Despite claims about tracking salmon migration routes, only a portion of the recent voyage coincided with known salmon paths. The ship’s helicopter was also scheduled to assist Canadian fishery officers in monitoring fishing vessels in Japan to ensure compliance with international laws.
Prime Minister Mark Carney has pledged to enhance the capabilities and reach of the Canadian Coast Guard as part of the government’s defense strengthening strategy. The government aims to integrate the civilian agency into Canada’s NATO defense capabilities for enhanced maritime surveillance and sovereignty protection.
China’s presence in the Arctic has raised security concerns, with military experts describing the Chinese ice research ship as dual-use, potentially serving military purposes. Experts urge cautious examination of statements regarding China’s activities in the Arctic to avoid escalation.
Arctic expert Michael Byers emphasized the importance of transparency in assessing security threats posed by the Chinese vessel. While acknowledging the vessel’s potential military significance, he stressed the need for evidence-based evaluations rather than assumptions. Byers supported the monitoring activities of the military and coast guard in response to China’s increasing military presence and support for Russia.