With the planned meeting between President Trump and President Putin set for August 15th in Alaska, attention has turned to China’s recent actions in the region. The U.S. Coast Guard has reported that China sent five research vessels to the Arctic near Alaska. The Coast Guard is observing these ships and is prepared to respond to any actions in Alaskan and U.S. Arctic waters. China has positioned itself as a country with a significant role in the Arctic. It has increased its presence in the region in recent years, especially with the deployment of three research vessels last year. The U.S. is concerned about China’s growing presence and its relationship with Russia. Because of this, the U.S. military has said it needs to increase its military strength and surveillance in the Arctic and work with its allies. The Newsweek map showed where the Chinese ships traveled, from their country’s coast to the waters near Alaska. In addition, two American and one Canadian icebreaker have been working in the area since the end of July. On August 5th and 6th, the U.S. Coast Guard reported seeing two Chinese research vessels, Ji Di and Zhong Shan Da Xue Ji Di, in the Bering Sea and Bering Strait, between Russia and Alaska. On July 25th, another Chinese ship, Xue Long 2, was seen more than 230 miles away from the coast of Alaska and was still there on August 6th.
