U.S. Coast Guard Monitors Chinese Research Ships Xue Long and Xue Long 2 in Bering Sea Transit

BERING SEA — The U.S. Coast Guard monitored the Chinese research ships Xue Long and Xue Long 2 as they transited north through the U.S. exclusive economic zone and over the U.S. extended continental shelf in the Bering Sea, marking the first Chinese vessels tracked in this area this year.

The Coast Guard cutter Munro executed Operation Frontier Sentinel to actively monitor the vessels during their northbound transit.

The operation protects American sovereign rights, ensures consistency with international law, and positions the service to rapidly respond to any detected malign activity.

Foreign vessels are permitted to operate within the U.S. exclusive economic zone and over the U.S. extended continental shelf, but the service remains vigilant to ensure their activities comply with established international laws.

Conducting marine scientific research within this area would require advance permission from the United States and subsequent sharing of the information collected.

In recent years, the Coast Guard has observed heightened activity in the U.S. Arctic and anticipates a continued and increased presence in the region this summer.

Rear Adm. Bob Little, U.S. Coast Guard Arctic District commander, stated that the service, alongside the Department of War, the Department of State, and international partners, is actively responding to competitor activities across an increasingly contested Arctic.

The Chinese vessels form part of China’s 16th Arctic Ocean scientific expedition, which departed Dalian on July 3. The fleet includes Xue Long, Xue Long 2, and Jidi, with Tansuo-3 expected to join later.

The expedition is scheduled to continue until early October and focuses on surveys of sea ice, hydrology, biology, ecology, and atmospheric conditions in key Arctic areas.

Operational Framework and Legal Posture

Operation Frontier Sentinel is the Coast Guard Arctic District framework for responding to foreign vessel activity in or near Alaskan and U.S. Arctic waters. It supports homeland defense and security efforts in coordination with U.S. Northern Command and Alaskan Command.

The service maintains that foreign vessels may transit the exclusive economic zone and extended continental shelf consistent with international law, while scientific research requires U.S. advance permission and data sharing.

According to the U.S. Coast Guard release of September 18, 2023, Operation Frontier Sentinel is a Seventeenth Coast Guard District operation that meets presence with presence and ensures there are no disruptions to U.S. interests in the Alaskan maritime environment.

The service routinely patrols international waters under its statutory authorities to ensure maritime safety and security of the U.S. maritime industry, to protect U.S. sovereign rights and to promote international rules-based order. Coast Guard presence ensures due regard for all lawful uses of the seas.

No public confirmation exists that Xue Long or Xue Long 2 requested or received research permits for activities within U.S. jurisdiction during the monitored transit.

The official Coast Guard account stated that the service remains vigilant and postured to respond to any detected malign activity in this region of increasing strategic importance.

What to Watch

• Additional Chinese vessels from the 16th expedition (Jidi or Tansuo-3) entering the Bering Strait or Chukchi Sea: track via Coast Guard Arctic District releases and AIS data where publicly available.

• Any Coast Guard or Department of War statement confirming research activity or consent requests over the U.S. extended continental shelf: expected through official press channels if detected.

• Changes in U.S. surface or air presence (additional cutters or C-130J sorties) beyond Munro: monitor Coast Guard Pacific Area and Arctic District updates through August and September.

• Chinese Ministry of Natural Resources or Polar Research Institute of China updates on expedition progress or research locations: available via official Chinese government channels.

Official Statements

• Rear Adm. Bob Little, U.S. Coast Guard Arctic District commander, July 17: “Alongside the Department of War, the Department of State, and our international partners, we are actively responding to competitor activities across an increasingly contested Arctic.”

• U.S. Coast Guard Arctic District, July 17: “This operation is designed to protect American sovereign rights, ensure consistency with international law, and position the Coast Guard to rapidly respond to any detected malign activity.”

• U.S. Coast Guard, July 18: “Securing the Arctic Frontier. This week, [the Coast Guard] responded to Chinese research vessels Xue Long and Xue Long 2 as they transited north to the Arctic. Through Operation Frontier Sentinel, Coast Guard Cutter Munro actively monitored these vessels during their transit, ensuring compliance with international law and protecting American sovereignty. Given an increasingly contested Arctic, we remain vigilant and postured to respond to any detected malign activity in this region of increasing strategic importance.”

• Chinese Ministry of Natural Resources, July 3: “China has launched its 16th scientific expedition to the Arctic Ocean, focusing on global climate change and its impacts. Three research icebreakers — Xuelong, Xuelong 2, and Jidi — set sail on Friday from the northeastern coastal city of Dalian, Liaoning province, commencing their northward voyage. Tansuo 3, a multifunctional research ship, will join them later.”

• Rear Adm. Bob Little, U.S. Coast Guard Arctic District commander, August 16, 2025: “Commissioning the Storis and Earl Cunningham increases our ability to control, secure, and defend Alaska’s U.S. border and maritime approaches. As we continue to grow our surface fleet, we utilize our aviation resources which play a vital role in countering foreign malign influence.”

• U.S. Coast Guard, September 18, 2023: “Operation Frontier Sentinel is a Seventeenth Coast Guard District operation designed to meet presence with presence and ensure there are no disruptions to U.S. interests in the Alaskan maritime environment. The Coast Guard routinely patrols international waters under the service’s statutory authorities to ensure maritime safety and security of the U.S. maritime industry, to protect U.S. sovereign rights and to promote international rules-based order. Coast Guard presence ensures due regard for all lawful uses of the seas.”