American vigilance in the Arctic is ramping up as the U.S. Coast Guard spots a Chinese research vessel encroaching on our sovereign waters.
The icebreaker Xue Long 2, flagged by China and run by their Polar Research Institute, was detected 290 nautical miles north of Utqiagvik, Alaska, deep inside our Extended Continental Shelf.
This area, extending beyond 200 nautical miles from shore, grants America exclusive rights to manage vital resources, both living and mineral.
A Coast Guard C-130J Hercules aircraft swiftly responded, capturing images of the intruder about 130 nautical miles into U.S. territory.
Rear Admiral Bob Little emphasized America’s commitment to defending against foreign threats, stating the Guard works with partners to monitor and counter malign activities near our borders.
This incident highlights growing concerns over China’s bold Arctic push, challenging American interests in a resource-rich region.
Xue Long 2, China’s first domestically built polar icebreaker at 122.5 meters long and capable of smashing through 1.5 meters of ice, departed Shanghai on July 5 for its latest expedition.
Two more Chinese vessels, Jidi and Tan Suo San Hao, are en route to the Arctic, signaling Beijing’s expanding footprint amid melting ice opening new shipping lanes.
US Coast Guard’s Healy icebreaker patrols nearby, about 400 nautical miles east, standing guard against these incursions.
Canada joins the watch, using aircraft from Alaska to track Xue Long 2 outside their waters, showing allied resolve against foreign overreach.
Just days earlier, NORAD tracked four Russian military planes in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone, a critical buffer for national security.
These events echo last year’s first-ever joint Russian-Chinese bomber flights near Alaska, underscoring the need for a robust U.S. presence in the Arctic.
Beijing downplays the intrusion, with state media accusing America of hyping a “scientific” voyage, but experts warn it’s part of China’s strategy to militarize the Arctic.
Such foreign maneuvers threaten American sovereignty and economic stakes in untapped oil, gas, and rare earth minerals essential for our tech and energy independence.
With Russia and China teaming up, as seen in their 2024 joint patrols near our shores, it’s clear adversaries are testing our defenses.
Letting China map our seabed could hand them advantages in future conflicts over Arctic routes. America must lead, not follow, in securing our northern frontier for generations to come.
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