China’s Coast Guard has announced its first entry into the Arctic Ocean as part of a joint patrol with Russia, marking a significant step in their collaborative efforts in a region where China aims to enhance its presence.

This announcement followed a report from the US Coast Guard, which observed four vessels from the Russian Border Guard and the Chinese Coast Guard in the Bering Sea, noting it was the furthest north they had ever seen Chinese ships.

According to a post on its official social media, the China Coast Guard (CCG) stated that the joint patrol “effectively expanded the scope of the coast guard’s ocean-going navigation” and assessed their capabilities “to conduct operations in unfamiliar waters.”

The CCG did not disclose the specific location of the patrol. A banner on one of the vessels in the accompanying images proclaimed, “China Coast Guard devoting its heart to the Party; demonstrating loyalty in the Arctic Ocean,” highlighting allegiance to China’s ruling Communist Party.

The Russian government has yet to officially confirm the patrol, which Chinese state media reported occurred “a few days ago.” Russian state news agency TASS referenced the CCG’s statement in its coverage of the event.

On Monday, the US Coast Guard (USCG) reported observing the four vessels from the Russian Border Guard and Chinese Coast Guard “transiting in formation in a northeast direction” within five miles of Russia’s Exclusive Economic Zone on Saturday.

The Bering Sea, located between Russia and Alaska, is part of the North Pacific Ocean and connects to the Arctic Ocean via the Bering Strait, a narrow channel that separates Asia from North America.

“This recent activity highlights the growing interest in the Arctic by our strategic competitors,” stated Rear Adm. Megan Dean, commander of the 17th Coast Guard District, in the USCG announcement.

The United States has expressed apprehensions regarding China’s increasing involvement and collaboration with Russia in the strategically and environmentally critical Arctic region, as both nations enhance their security and economic partnerships.

In July, US and Canadian forces intercepted Russian and Chinese bombers operating in tandem near Alaska for the first time. Additionally, their navies conducted joint operations in international waters off the Alaskan coast in both 2022 and 2023, as reported by the US military.

Last year, the China Coast Guard (CCG) and Russia’s Federal Security Service, which oversees its coast guard, reached an agreement to bolster their “maritime law enforcement cooperation.” Furthermore, China was invited to observe Russia’s “Arctic Patrol-2023” security exercises.

Experts suggest that this new patrol reflects a broader trend of collaboration aimed at sending a message to Washington, particularly in light of the US’s maritime activities in the South and East China Seas, which have long been a source of irritation for Beijing.

“The importance of the China Coast Guard operating further north than ever before indicates that China is expanding its Coast Guard operations into areas traditionally regarded by the US as its own territory,” stated Carl Schuster, a retired US Navy captain and former director of operations at the US Pacific Command’s Joint Intelligence Center.

“China is particularly indicating that the US Coast Guard is not the sole entity capable of operating within and near other nations’ Economic Exclusion Zones from their own territorial waters,” he added.

Arctic Aspirations

For several years, Beijing has aimed to expand its presence in the Arctic, positioning itself as a “near Arctic state” while enhancing its icebreaker and research capabilities in the area. The country has also made significant investments in Russian energy initiatives.

As one of the eight Arctic nations, Russia has traditionally been cautious about extending too much cooperation to China, given the strategic importance of the region to its own security and military interests.

However, analysts suggest that Moscow’s increasing dependence on China—its primary diplomatic and economic ally—following the conflict in Ukraine may be shifting this perspective.

In July, the US Department of Defense issued its first update to its Arctic strategy in five years, cautioning that the “growing cooperation” between Russia and China in the Arctic could potentially disrupt the region’s stability and alter the threat landscape.

Recent joint operations, such as the July patrol near Alaska, prompt inquiries into whether Russia’s emphasis on controlling access to the Arctic is becoming increasingly influenced by economic and political factors, according to Sophie Arts, a fellow with the German Marshall Fund of the US’s Geostrategy North team.

“Nonetheless, when considering Russia’s growing willingness to accommodate Chinese interests, it is essential to recognize the geographical context of these activities,” she noted, highlighting that the strategically remote nature of the patrol location indicates that “Russian priorities regarding access control and the maintenance of its defensive bastion remain significant.”

Andreas Østhagen, a senior researcher at the Fridtjof Nansen Institute in Norway, expressed doubt regarding the presence of Chinese vessels in the Arctic Ocean itself.

He pointed out that operations north of the Bering Strait typically necessitate ice-breaking capabilities and mentioned that the US Coast Guard did not report any ships entering the Bering Strait, which marks the beginning of the Arctic Ocean. CNN has sought comments from the USCG.

“While this may not directly involve the Arctic Ocean, it still pertains to the broader Arctic region. Activities off the coast of Alaska or within the Bering Sea reflect an ongoing trend of China asserting its presence in or near the Arctic,” he stated.

Economic Interests

The China Coast Guard operates as a component of the People’s Armed Police, which falls under the authority of the Central Military Commission. It has often been at the forefront of China’s initiatives to reinforce its territorial claims in the contested regions of the South China Sea.

For instance, the Philippines has consistently accused the China Coast Guard of aggressive actions against its fishing vessels and other ships, employing tactics such as water cannons and, in one instance, a “brutal assault” involving bladed weapons against Filipino forces in June.

Beyond demonstrating military strength, analysts suggest that Beijing is also focused on enhancing its collaboration with Russia and increasing its presence in the northern waters, where the coast guard may play a crucial role in safeguarding its economic interests in the future.

In its 2018 Arctic policy, China articulated its ambition for a “Polar Silk Road,” which aims to connect Asia and Europe by establishing shipping routes, including the Northern Sea Route that traverses the Arctic and extends to China. Currently navigable primarily during the summer and autumn months, this route is anticipated to become increasingly viable for international shipping as climate change continues to reduce sea ice.

According to the Centre for High North Logistics, associated with Norway’s Nord University, transit along the Northern Sea Route is expected to reach unprecedented levels of cargo by the end of the summer-autumn navigation season. As of September 30, approximately 95% of the cargo transported along this route originated from Russia and was destined for China, as reported recently.

The collaboration between coast guards is linked to China’s interests in maritime transport along certain segments of the Northern Sea Route, as noted by Østhagen. He emphasized that the initiation of such operations marks a significant advancement in the practical cooperation between the two nations in an Arctic or near-Arctic setting.

Furthermore, when considered alongside other recent joint initiatives, this development underscores China’s efforts to enhance its presence in the Arctic region and improve its operational capabilities in these northern latitudes.