U.S. Coast Guard Monitoring Increased Russian, Chinese Naval Activity Near Alaska

Table of Contents

TAIPEI — The U.S. Coast Guard is closely monitoring an increase in naval activity by Russia and China around Alaska and the northern Pacific, though encounters have remained professional so far, according to a senior official on Friday.

Vice Admiral Andrew J. Tiongson, Commander of the U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area, highlighted during a call with regional reporters from Japan that the U.S. shares a maritime boundary with Russia between Alaska and the Russian Far East.

“We’ve observed an uptick in Russian naval presence in that region,” Tiongson said. “Additionally, we’ve seen increased cooperation between the People’s Republic of China (PRC) Navy and the Russian navy in the area.”

This activity has been ongoing for the past couple of years, with the two navies conducting joint operations. Occasionally, these vessels enter the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), Tiongson noted.

“When they do, we respond with a presence of our own,” he explained. “We establish communication to make sure they are aware we’re there. Sometimes, they inform us that they’re just passing through and will soon leave the EEZ. Other times, we shadow them as they continue their operations.”

Tiongson emphasized that the U.S. Coast Guard works closely with the U.S. military and Canadian counterparts, and encounters with both Russian and Chinese forces have remained professional to date.

In response to questions about the situation in the South China Sea, where Chinese Coast Guard ships have clashed with the Philippines over resupplying a beached Philippine navy vessel at Second Thomas Shoal, Tiongson clarified that the U.S. Coast Guard has not been asked to escort Philippine ships.

Instead, the U.S. has been providing advisory support. “When I say advise and assist, we offer guidance to the Philippine Coast Guard on how we would handle the situation, but we do not accompany their vessels,” Tiongson said.