Current Affairs
U.S. and Canadian vessels monitor Chinese icebreaker deploying Arctic observation buoys
The USCGC Storis and Royal Canadian Navy's HMCS Max Bernays have tracked the Chinese research vessel Xue Long for nearly a month as it conducts extensive Arctic survey operations. The Xue Long completed 12 ice-station operations during China's 16th Arctic expedition north of 82 degrees, deploying more than 30 ice-based buoys designed to collect data on sea-ice movement, ocean properties and atmospheric conditions. The U.S. Coast Guard has framed the Chinese activity as a security concern amid expanding Beijing presence in the contested Arctic region.
