U.S. Coast Guard Spots Multiple Chinese Military Ships Near Alaska Waters

Recently, the U.S. Coast Guard detected multiple Chinese military ships in the waters off Alaska. These vessels were located approximately 124 miles north of the Amchitka Pass in the Aleutian Islands, and another ship was spotted about 84 miles north of the state's Amukta Pass. The sightings occurred on Saturday and Sunday, raising concerns about foreign naval activities in the region.

Violation of U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone

It was reported that all four ships were situated in international waters but were found within the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone, which extends 200 nautical miles from the U.S. shoreline. This zone grants the United States exclusive rights for the exploration and utilization of marine resources. While the Chinese vessels were said to be operating in accordance with international rules and norms, their presence inside the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone has raised diplomatic and strategic concerns.

Coast Guard Response

Rear Admiral Megan Dean, the Coast Guard district commander, stated that the Chinese vessels claimed to be conducting "freedom of navigation operations" when contacted by the Coast Guard to ensure there were no disruptions to U.S. interests in the maritime environment around Alaska. The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Kimball, a 418-foot-long national security vessel, was deployed to monitor the naval presence. The Kimball, part of Operation Frontier Sentinel, is designed to address the presence of strategic competitors operating in and around U.S. waters.

Similar incidents have occurred in recent years, with Chinese naval activities being observed near Alaska. In September 2021 and 2022, Coast Guard cutters encountered Chinese surface action groups in the area, while in August 2023, the U.S. Navy dispatched four destroyers to the Alaskan coast in response to the presence of 11 Chinese and Russian warships patrolling international waters within the Exclusive Economic Zone.