In early July, the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Kimball, while on a routine patrol, detected a group of Chinese military ships in the Bering Sea near Alaska. The Kimball first identified three Chinese vessels approximately 124 miles north of Amchitka Pass in the Aleutian Islands. Shortly after, a Coast Guard helicopter aircrew spotted a fourth Chinese ship around 84 miles north of Amukta Pass.
US Coast Guard spots Chinese naval ships near Alaska
A U.S. Coast Guard cutter conducting a routine patrol in the Bering Sea encountered several Chinese military ships in international waters. The crew spotted three vessels approximately 124 miles (200 kilometers) north of the… pic.twitter.com/VvYyVvBc3b
— Spotlight on China (@spotlightoncn) July 15, 2024
The Chinese warships were not visible on civilian radar, raising concerns among American commercial fishermen operating in the area. The Kimball intercepted the Chinese vessels, which were found to be transiting in international waters but within the U.S. EEZ, an area extending 200 nautical miles from the U.S. coastline. The Chinese ships identified themselves as a “China Navy Task Group” and requested the Coast Guard to maintain a safe distance.
The Coast Guard Cutter Kimball, along with an HC-130 Hercules aircraft, monitored the Chinese vessels for over 12 hours, ensuring no disruptions to U.S. interests. The Chinese claimed their presence was for “freedom of navigation operations,” a stance also taken by the U.S. in disputed waters near China.
Local officials and participants in the fishing industry expressed concerns about the presence of foreign military ships near Alaska. The encounter follows similar incidents in recent years involving Chinese and Russian vessels in the Bering Sea and the Aleutians.
Expanded Coverage:
