The Canadian military, along with potentially the coast guard, is closely monitoring a Chinese research vessel as it returns to Arctic waters off Alaska for the second consecutive year. According to data from independent researcher and ship tracker Steffan Watkins, a Canadian air force CP-140 surveillance plane was observed near the Xue Long (Snow Dragon) 2 as it left the Bering Strait recently.
The aircraft, as per Watkins’s findings, shifted its operations from its base in Comox, B.C., to Anchorage, Alaska, on July 9. It has conducted four patrols since then, with the latest one involving the Xue Long 2, China’s first domestically constructed polar research vessel. Despite publicly available flight tracking data illustrating the CP-140’s patrol route, the Department of National Defence declined to confirm the aircraft’s presence.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Major Alexander Naraine, a spokesperson for the military’s joint operations center, stated, “We will continue to conduct activities necessary to detect, deter, and defend against potential threats in, over, and approaching Canada.” Naraine confirmed that the CP-140 Aurora aircraft is actively monitoring the Xue Long 2 from its base in Alaska.
Naraine emphasized that monitoring will persist as long as the vessel remains in proximity to Canadian territorial waters. He noted that rival nations are exploring Arctic waters and the sea floor, conducting surveillance activities using dual-purpose research vessels and other platforms.
The Canadian Coast Guard has also been monitoring the situation, particularly focusing on illegal fishing activities. The CCGS Sir Wilfrid Laurier shadowed the Xue Long 2 from Japan into Russian waters until it entered the Bering Strait. Initially, the coast guard provided a vague response regarding the mission of the Sir Wilfrid Laurier but later denied shadowing the Chinese vessel, stating its focus is on monitoring migratory routes for species like Pacific salmon.
While the coast guard ship’s activities were related to monitoring fishing vessels and ensuring compliance with international law, only a portion of its recent voyage aligned with known salmon migration paths. Prime Minister Mark Carney has pledged to enhance the Canadian Coast Guard’s capabilities as part of the government’s defense strategy. The government aims to integrate the coast guard into Canada’s NATO defense capabilities to strengthen maritime surveillance and sovereignty.
Experts like Michael Byers from the University of British Columbia have emphasized the importance of transparent communication about security threats posed by the Chinese vessel. Byers and other military analysts view the Chinese research ship as potentially having dual-use capabilities, implying military or defense functions. Byers urged caution in making statements that could escalate tensions with China, emphasizing the need for thorough assessments of the situation.
In light of China’s increasing military influence, Byers supports the monitoring efforts of the military and coast guard, especially when Chinese government vessels are in close proximity to Canada or the United States.
