In a recent development, the U.S. Coast Guard identified multiple Chinese military vessels in waters off Alaska. According to a Wednesday news release, three ships were detected approximately 124 miles north of Amchitka Pass in the Aleutian Islands, while a fourth was seen about 84 miles north of Amukta Pass over the weekend.

Though all vessels were in international waters, they were within the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), which extends 200 nautical miles from the coast. The EEZ grants the United States exclusive rights for exploring and using marine resources in these areas.

Rear Admiral Megan Dean, Coast Guard district commander, confirmed that the ships “operated in accordance with international rules and norms.” Upon contact by the Coast Guard to ensure no disruptions to U.S. interests, the Chinese ships stated their presence was for “freedom of navigation operations.”

The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Kimball, a 418-foot national security vessel, monitored the Chinese ships until they exited the EEZ. The Kimball is engaged in Operation Frontier Sentinel, a Coast Guard exercise aimed at asserting U.S. presence when strategic competitors operate near U.S. waters. The Cutter has previously conducted joint exercises in the Indo-Pacific region and will continue to patrol the zone.

This incident is part of a pattern of similar encounters in recent years. In September 2021 and 2022, Coast Guard cutters encountered Chinese surface action groups in the area. In August 2023, the U.S. Navy dispatched four destroyers to the Alaskan coast following the sighting of 11 Chinese and Russian warships patrolling in international waters within the EEZ.

The continued monitoring of these activities underscores the strategic importance of the region and the ongoing vigilance of the U.S. Coast Guard.