The U.S. Coast Guard has noticed an increase in Chinese and Russian naval activity in Alaska and the northern Pacific, with both countries conducting joint operations in the region. However, encounters between the U.S. Coast Guard and these ships have been professional. Vice Admiral Andrew J. Tiongson, U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area Commander, mentioned that Russian naval vessels and the Chinese navy have been operating in the area near the maritime boundary between Alaska and the Russian Far East. There have been instances where these ships have entered the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone, prompting the Coast Guard to establish presence in response. Despite the tensions in the South China Sea between the Philippines and China over Second Thomas Shoal, the U.S. Coast Guard has not been asked to provide escort to Philippine vessels. Instead, they have been providing advice and assistance to the Philippine coast guard in dealing with the situation. Tiongson emphasized that the encounters with Russian and Chinese ships have been handled professionally and that the U.S. Coast Guard exchanges information with the U.S. military and Canada to address these maritime challenges.
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Increase in Russian and Chinese navy presence near Alaska being monitored by U.S. Coast Guard
