U.S. Coast Guard vessels saw four Chinese warships performing military and surveillance operations near Alaska's Aleutian Islands during a regular mission.
The ships of the People's Liberation Army Navy came within 46 miles of the Aleutian Islands, according to the Coast Guard.
The US Coast Guard Cutters Bertholf and Kimball, both Legend-class maritime security cutters, were part of the patrol.
The Chinese ships were in the exclusive economic zone of the United States, which runs 200 miles off the coast of Alaska. They didn't go into US territorial waters, which are 12 miles off the coast.
The last time Chinese ships were seen in the area was in 2015, when they crossed past US territorial waters near the Aleutian Islands.
A guided missile cruiser, a guided missile destroyer, a general intelligence vessel, and an auxiliary vessel were part of the Chinese expedition.
During the unplanned meeting, the Bertholf established radio contact with the Chinese ships, and the ships followed international rules and conventions, according to the Coast Guard.
In a statement, Vice Adm. Michael McAllister, commander of the Coast Guard Pacific Area, stated, "Security in the Bering Sea and the Arctic is homeland security." "The United States Coast Guard is always present in this critical region to preserve American interests and economic development."
According to Troy Bouffard, a teacher at the University of Alaska Fairbanks,
Today's encounter was "not entirely unexpected," but it is a "important" indicator of China's attitude toward the region.
"With the South China Sea issue, we're probably starting to irritate them a little bit," Bouffard remarked. In view of the US operations in the South China Sea, the Aleutian exercise could be a demonstration of China's capabilities.
"I don't think they were attempting to generate a reaction," Bouffard added, "but I do believe they were delivering a clear strategic message." "They can also enter our waters if they follow the rules."
As China develops its blue-water naval capabilities, demonstrations like this may become more common, according to Bouffard.
Despite the fact that the Arctic is typically regarded as having a low risk of violence, recent Arctic policies from US military branches have stated that there is a possibility of international tensions elsewhere spilling over into the Arctic.
While ships cross through other countries' exclusive economic zones on a regular basis, they often give advance notice of drills.
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