By John Q. Hosedrinker 
The U.S. Coast Guard has responded to the presence of the Chinese icebreaker Xue Long 2 within the extended U.S. Continental Shelf (ECS) north of Alaska, dispatching a C-130J Hercules. The U.S. and Canadian forces are actively monitoring the vessel as it navigates near U.S. and Canadian waters. China’s Xue Long 2, along with two other research icebreakers and a fourth vessel, are en route to the Arctic, raising concerns about China’s activities in the region. While the U.S. Coast Guard’s Healy is conducting its annual Arctic deployment, studying sea ice, the service’s newest icebreaker, Storis, is slated for a commissioning ceremony in August, followed by its first Arctic patrol.
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U.S. Coast Guard Responds to Chinese Icebreaker ‘Xue Long 2’ on American Continental Shelf off Alaska
The U.S. Coast Guard’s encounter with the Chinese icebreaker ‘Xue Long 2’ on the American Continental Shelf off Alaska certainly raises eyebrows. This isn’t exactly headline news in the grand scheme of things, especially if you’re busy following, you know, the Epstein files or maybe the latest on Trump. But it does touch on some significant points about international relations, scientific research, and the changing landscape of the Arctic.
The fact that the Coast Guard was monitoring the ‘Xue Long 2’ is, frankly, understandable. The U.S. has a vested interest in what goes on within its jurisdiction, particularly when it involves foreign vessels, and even more so when those vessels are icebreakers, which are capable of activities far beyond just scientific research. It’s fair to say that all research ships have the potential to gather information for military purposes, and this isn’t a unique characteristic of Chinese vessels. However, in the context of the Arctic, where resources and strategic access are increasingly important, it’s perfectly reasonable for the U.S. to keep a close eye on any activities within its waters, and especially in the areas that are considered part of the extended continental shelf.
The question of whether China “should” be operating in the Arctic at all pops up frequently. China is not an Arctic state, which makes some people uncomfortable with its presence there. However, a lot of countries engage in research in the Arctic, as the extensive list of research stations in the Arctic indicates. Just because a nation is not geographically located in the Arctic doesn’t automatically disqualify it from conducting research or asserting its rights in international waters. Then again, some seem to see the Chinese presence as a problem for everyone, given China’s alleged disregard for territories and resource grabbing.
The crux of the issue often boils down to transparency and communication. If the ‘Xue Long 2’ was simply there to conduct scientific research, wouldn’t it be wise to notify the relevant authorities in advance? Maybe even offer to share the findings? That would certainly go a long way in dispelling suspicions. Doing things unannounced naturally raises concerns. After all, what’s the harm in a little heads-up if your intentions are truly peaceful and scientific? It’s like when America sails near China. Do they call ahead? The same standard should apply across the board to avoid accusations of hypocrisy.
Of course, there is also a lot of talk about the vessels’s dual purpose. While portrayed as a research ship, it is fully capable of gathering information for military purposes. This is the reason for the monitoring activities. To be fair, this is standard practice. All nations do this, and the Coast Guard is just doing its job.
The argument that this is all just a distraction from other issues, like Trump, is a familiar one. Distraction techniques abound in the news, and one can easily argue that the news will find what is of interest to them.
Ultimately, it seems like the US Coast Guard was simply doing what it is expected to do: monitor activity on the American Continental Shelf and ensure that international laws are followed.