China sends warships to Arctic Ocean for the first time
China has sent warships to the Arctic (Getty Images)
China has announced that its coast guard ships have entered the Arctic Ocean for the first time, patrolling the waters alongside Russian vessels. The mission highlights growing cooperation between Beijing and Moscow in the region, citing Bloomberg.
The operation took place during China’s national holiday, according to a military channel on state broadcaster CCTV. While Russia has yet to officially confirm the event, the US Coast Guard reported that on September 29, two Russian and two Chinese ships were spotted passing through the Bering Sea, which separates Russia from Alaska.
In a separate statement on October 2, China’s Coast Guard reported that the operation expanded its navigational range, tested the ships' ability to carry out missions in unfamiliar waters, and provided strong support for active participation in international and regional ocean governance.
As global warming melts Arctic ice, new shipping routes are emerging that could reduce travel time between Europe and Asia. China, which has no Arctic coastline, considers this region one of the "new frontiers" where it sees opportunities for future influence, alongside deep sea exploration, outer space, cyberspace, and artificial intelligence.
The joint patrol also symbolizes the deepening ties between Beijing and Moscow and their growing interest in the Arctic. Their relationship shifted after the Kremlin’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, making Russia increasingly reliant on Chinese funding for Arctic projects. In turn, China needs Russia for access to the cold expanses that cover much of the Earth.
"This recent activity demonstrates the increased interest in the Arctic by our strategic competitors," said US Rear Admiral Megan Dean, commander of the 17th Coast Guard District.
Recently, Chinese and Russian military forces deployed more than 10 ships and over 30 aircraft for joint drills in the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk from September 10 to 27. The two fleets also patrolled the northern Pacific.
