In A First, Chinese Coast Guard Fleet Enters Arctic Ocean For Patrol, Russia Joins

A Chinese coast guard fleet has entered the Arctic Ocean for the first time, carrying out a joint patrol with Russian ships, per state media on October 2, 2024.

The operation, which took place during China’s week-long National Day Holiday, coincided with the 75th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China and the diplomatic relationship between China and Russia.

The arrival of the vessel “Meishan” marks a new chapter in the relationship between the two countries. The joint patrol follows similar missions in the northern Pacific Ocean that began on September 21.

The opening of Arctic sea routes is becoming more crucial as climate change melts ice packs, allowing for extended periods of navigation.

These routes provide a shorter alternative for trade between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, but they pose challenges that often require icebreaker assistance for safe passage along Russia’s northern coast.

China and Russia are taking steps to establish Arctic shipping routes, mainly as Russia aims to increase oil and gas supply to China despite Western sanctions. At the same time, China aims to reduce its reliance on shipping through Southeast Asia’s Strait of Malacca.

While Russia has not yet officially confirmed the operation, the United States Coast Guard said that two Russian ships and two Chinese vessels were seen crossing the Bering Sea, which separates Russia and Alaska.

The Chinese Coast Guard stated that the operation increased their navigational range and tested their ships’ capabilities in unfamiliar seas, supporting their goal of being involved in international and regional ocean governance.

As the Arctic ice continues to melt, shipping lanes are opening, which will drastically reduce travel time between Asia and Europe.

China, which does not have an Arctic coastline, sees the region as a “new frontier” for future influence, alongside deep-sea research, outer space, cyberspace, and artificial intelligence.

This coordinated patrol shows China and Russia’s expanding cooperation in the Arctic. Their relationship has strengthened since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, leading to increasing Chinese investment in Arctic projects and a shared interest in the region’s resources.

U.S. officials expressed concern over this latest development, with Rear Admiral Megan Dean of the U.S. Coast Guard saying that the conduct signals increased interest in the Arctic by strategic competitors.

China and Russia conducted a joint practice with over ten ships and more than 30 aircraft in the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk from September 10 to 27, 2024, to showcase their military cooperation.

Reference: Reuters, Bloomberg

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