Canada’s Navy Keeps Close Watch on Chinese Research Vessel in Arctic, Notes Foreign Parties Gathering Intelligence

August 1, 2024 TruthUSA

A Canadian warship was deployed to the Bering Strait in July to monitor a Chinese polar research vessel navigating the passage between Russia and Alaska, highlighting Beijing’s increasing interest in the region.

The HMCS Regina followed the Chinese Research Vessel Xue Long 2 between July 7 and July 25, as it departed from Esquimalt, B.C., and returned.

While the federal government did not publicly announce this part of HMCS Regina’s journey to the Arctic Ocean, a National Defence spokesperson confirmed the encounter in an email to The Epoch Times on Aug. 1.

National Defence media relations officer Andrée-Anne Poulin also verified the presence of a Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) naval task group in the area.

“The ship and its embarked CH-148 Cyclone Air Detachment engaged in safe and professional interactions with the Chinese Research Vessel Xue Long 2 as it transited through the Bering Strait,” Poulin said, noting that the Chinese task group vessels “stayed in international waters at all times” and had “no encounters with HMCS Regina.”

National Defence declined to provide further mission details for security reasons.

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The U.S. Coast Guard reported the detection of Chinese navy vessels on July 6 within the country’s exclusive economic zone, which extends 200 nautical miles from the Alaskan coastline.

The HMCS Regina departed from B.C. the following day. Commander Dave Mazur of the Canadian navy’s Pacific fleet mentioned in a social media post on July 28 that the ship was deployed “on short notice for a brief but impactful deployment.”

The U.S. Coast Guard stated that the Chinese vessels responded to radio communications, citing “freedom of navigation operations” as their purpose in the area.

Coast Guard District commander Megan Dean, in a July 10 press release, stated, “The Chinese naval presence adhered to international rules and norms. We responded to ensure the protection of U.S. interests in the maritime environment around Alaska.”

The Coast Guard maintained surveillance of the Chinese task group until all ships had re-entered the Pacific Ocean.

Security Issues

Poulin noted an increased risk of foreign entities encroaching on Canadian waters as the region becomes more accessible.

She mentioned that competitors are exploring Arctic waters and the sea floor, gathering intelligence and probing Canadian infrastructure, with a rise in Russian air activity and Chinese research vessels and surveillance platforms collecting data for military purposes as required by Chinese law.

Despite not being an Arctic nation, China aims to become a “polar great power” by 2030, according to the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS).

Poulin highlighted China’s naval expansion, including its nuclear-powered submarine fleet, investments, infrastructure, and industrial and scientific influence across the Arctic region.

Chinese activities in the Arctic are not new, as evidenced by China’s Snow Dragon icebreaker navigating Canada’s Northwest Passage in 2017.

China’s Xinhua News Agency described the voyage as a test of sailing Chinese cargo ships through the Arctic route connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

Strained Relations

Canada’s monitoring of Chinese ships coincided with Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly’s official visit to China to strengthen bilateral ties.

Minister Joly met with Chinese foreign affairs minister Wang Yi on July 19 to address Canada-China relations and global and regional security matters, as reported by Global Affairs Canada here.

Concerns about Chinese interference in Canadian politics have added tension to relations between the two countries, exacerbated by the 2018 detention of Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, seemingly in retaliation for the arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wangzhou on a U.S. extradition warrant.

China has also been known to engage in provocative actions towards Canadian military personnel.

In 2022, China was accused of harassing a Royal Canadian Airforce’s CP-140 Aurora Maritime Patrol Aircraft during a mission in Japan supporting UN sanctions against North Korea.

The Department of National Defence (DND) reported “multiple interactions” between Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) aircraft and Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) aircraft during the one-month deployment from April 26 to May 26.

DND highlighted the PLAAF’s disregard for international air safety standards and unprofessional behaviors that jeopardized the safety of RCAF personnel during these incidents.

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