U.S. Coast Guard Official Says China’s Maritime Presence Near Alaska and Arctic Coast Under Close Watch
A senior U.S. Arctic military official said on September 21, 2026, according to Reuters, that the United States is “very closely” monitoring China’s maritime activities in regions adjacent to its Arctic territory due to concerns over national security.
Brigadier General Bob Little, commander of the U.S. Coast Guard’s Arctic Region, told Reuters that four Chinese research vessels had conducted operations in waters near the U.S. Arctic by 2026, compared to five throughout all of 2025.
He stated these Chinese vessels have sailed through areas near Alaska, including the Aleutian Islands, entered the Bering Strait, and reached as far north as the North Pole. The remarks were made during a visit to Oslo for the Arctic Security Conference.
“Within my area of responsibility, what I am watching and concerned about is their activity within U.S. sovereign space and its immediate vicinity,” Little said. “Therefore, within our exclusive economic zone or on our extended continental shelf, we certainly have security concerns. So this type of activity is one we are very closely monitoring.”
He noted that while these vessels operated in international waters, they did not notify the United States in advance through diplomatic channels—a practice typically followed.
“When we question them and ask about the purpose of their activities, their responses are typically ‘We’re operating in international waters’ or ‘We’re conducting scientific research,’” he said.
The concern is twofold. First, Little warned that China may be conducting scientific research with potential focus on seabed mineral extraction in areas falling under U.S. jurisdiction.
Second, such activities could potentially “provide military advantage to China or pose a security threat to the United States.” His operational area spans nearly as much territory as Europe.
China has described itself as a “near-Arctic state” and aims to develop a “Polar Silk Road” in the region. In recent years, it has increased its presence in polar zones, sometimes acting in coordination with Russia, at other times independently.
During his time in Norway, Little discussed with international counterparts how they are responding to similar activities by Russian research vessels.
“Whether in the Barents Sea or the Baltic Sea, examples of hybrid threats and activities are readily identifiable. I will therefore certainly pay close attention to this, given that Russia is an adjacent nation on the western side of the Arctic,” he said, referring explicitly to Russia.
Moscow has denied that its research vessels engage in any illegal activities or pose a threat to U.S. interests.
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Original article: toutiao.com/article/1876933500998667/
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