Geopolitical coincidences rarely occur, and it is clearly a remarkable fact that the Chinese Coast Guard decided to “cross” the waters of the Arctic Ocean for the first time as part of a joint patrol with Russia. There are many reasons for this, but above all, there is something that neither power wants to make clear. Officially, they are testing their capabilities to “perform missions in uncharted waters” in the oceans.

News. The statement comes from China, which claims to have entered the Arctic Ocean together with Russia. The statement comes a day after the US Coast Guard said it spotted four ships belonging to the Russian Border Guard and the Chinese Coast Guard in the Bering Sea, the “northernmost” location of Chinese vessels ever observed.

In a message posted via social media, the China Coast Guard (CCG) did not release the exact location, but said the joint patrol “effectively expanded the scope of the Coast Guard’s ocean navigation” and “effectively expanded the scope of the Coast Guard’s ocean navigation” and “the ability to carry out missions on land.” ” He explained in detail what he tested. uncharted waters.” Additionally, a banner visible on one of the ships in the accompanying photos read: “China Coast Guard dedicates its heart to the Party.”

Inside the story. Today’s images once again emphasize the security ties and coordination between Russia and China. At the beginning of September, we reported that Russia had deployed its war fleet in five seas for the first time in 30 years, and that it had done so hand in hand with China, underlining the growing military ties between both powers in recent years.

China’s participation was later said to strengthen its strategic alliance in the context of tensions with the West, especially the United States and its allies in the Indo-Pacific region. What exactly did they do? Within the framework of Okean-24, they carried out joint maneuvers in the Sea of ​​Japan and the Sea of ​​Okhotsk and carried out coordination work in complex naval operations such as anti-submarine warfare, air defense and naval logistics. For China, as for Russia, this was a message abroad about its willingness to cooperate with other actors in the global military arena.

First time in the North Pole. The first entry of Gulf Cooperation Council ships into the Arctic Ocean has an “official” purpose: to restore order in high-sea fishing. During the mission, ships are required to conduct joint search and rescue drills, control damage and locate runaway ships. Essentially, “demonstrating” the excellent cooperation capabilities of the two coast guards.

The first was Bering. The United States Coast Guard (USCG) reported that on Monday, before reaching these waters, it saw four ships belonging to the Russian Border Guard and the Chinese Coast Guard “transiting in an orderly northeast direction” through the Bering Sea. It is part of Russia and Alaska and the North Pacific Ocean. It connects to the Arctic Ocean through the Bering Strait, a narrow passage separating Asia and North America.

According to Megan Dean, commander of the United States Coast Guard’s 17th District, “this latest activity demonstrates the growing interest of our strategic rivals in the Arctic.” In fact, last July the United States and Canada intercepted Russian and Chinese bombers in Alaska.

“Message”. According to Carl Schuster, a former U.S. Navy captain, “the importance of having the Chinese Coast Guard operating further north than ever before means expanding the Coast Guard into areas that the United States has traditionally considered its sphere of influence. “China, in particular, is signaling that the U.S. Coast Guard is not the only agency that can operate from its own national waters in and near other countries’ Economic Exclusion Zones.”

Experts note that in addition to transferring power, Beijing also has practical interests in expanding cooperation with Russia and its presence in far northern waters, where its coast guard can protect its economic interests in the future. Indeed, in its 2018 Arctic policy, Beijing described its vision as a “Polar Silk Road” connecting Asia to Europe by developing shipping routes such as the Northern Sea Route through the Arctic to China.

and energy source. It’s the other leg that’s on everyone’s mind. Beijing has been trying to increase its presence in the Arctic for years, declaring itself a “near-Arctic state” and strengthening its research and icebreaking capabilities in the region; it also invests heavily in Russian energy projects.

Russia, one of eight countries in the Arctic, has historically been cautious about getting too cozy with China in a region that is key to its security and military might, but Moscow’s dependence on its “partner” has only increased. The war in Ukraine may have caused these “ties” in the icy region to completely change the situation.

Image | China Coast Guard

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