China ships in Bering Sea off Alaska Coast as Barack Obama visits

[Oldman1]

They might be saying that in public but they don't want Chinese ships near the US.

Its international waters, nothing you can do about it. In war, sure they don't want hostile ships near the U.S. But in peace, nothing to complain. Best they can do is observe. Just as stated in op.

Five Chinese navy ships are currently operating in the Bering Sea, off the coast of Alaska, the first time the US military has seen such activity in the area, Pentagon officials said Wednesday.

The officials said they have been aware in recent days that three Chinese combat ships, a replenishment vessel and an amphibious ship were in the vicinity after observing them moving toward the Aleutian Islands, which are split between US and Russian control.

They said the Chinese ships were still in the area, but declined to specify when the vessels were first spotted or how far they were from the coast of Alaska, where President Barack Obama is winding up a three-day visit.

“This would be a first in the vicinity of the Aleutian Islands,” one defence official said of the Chinese ships. “I don’t think we’d characterise anything they’re doing as threatening.” The Pentagon official confirmed that the five ships were operating in international waters.

Pentagon officials also said there was no information suggesting the Chinese ships had gone through the Bering Strait, a narrow waterway north of the sea that abuts Alaska.

 

[Beidou2020]

Its international waters, nothing you can do about it. In war, sure they don't want hostile ships near the U.S. But in peace, nothing to complain. Best they can do is observe. Just as stated in op.

Five Chinese navy ships are currently operating in the Bering Sea, off the coast of Alaska, the first time the US military has seen such activity in the area, Pentagon officials said Wednesday.

The officials said they have been aware in recent days that three Chinese combat ships, a replenishment vessel and an amphibious ship were in the vicinity after observing them moving toward the Aleutian Islands, which are split between US and Russian control.

They said the Chinese ships were still in the area, but declined to specify when the vessels were first spotted or how far they were from the coast of Alaska, where President Barack Obama is winding up a three-day visit.

“This would be a first in the vicinity of the Aleutian Islands,” one defence official said of the Chinese ships. “I don’t think we’d characterise anything they’re doing as threatening.” The Pentagon official confirmed that the five ships were operating in international waters.

Pentagon officials also said there was no information suggesting the Chinese ships had gone through the Bering Strait, a narrow waterway north of the sea that abuts Alaska.

They will give the usual 'international waters' excuse but make no mistake about it, the US don't want Chinese ships near the US.

 

[Oldman1]

They will give the usual 'international waters' excuse but make no mistake about it, the US don't want Chinese ships near the US.

K, well it doesn't change anything. Russia has sent ships near American coast as well as during the Cold War. That didn't force the U.S to pull warships away from the Russian coast. Doubt it would do anything different with China. You sent ships halfway around the world. Congrats. And don't worry, we are not hostile to warships near American coast during peacetime. In fact, the U.S. Navy helps them in need. You can ask the Russians.

 

[Beidou2020]

K, well it doesn't change anything. Russia has sent ships near American coast as well as during the Cold War. That didn't force the U.S to pull warships away from the Russian coast. Doubt it would do anything different with China. You sent ships halfway around the world. Congrats. And don't worry, we are not hostile to warships near American coast during peacetime. In fact, the U.S. Navy helps them in need. You can ask the Russians.

It wasn't China that made a big deal about it, go tell that to the American propaganda machine thats going bonkers.

These will become routine patrols for the PLAN. So America better get used to it

 

[TaiShang]

In any case, it is an improvement for international peace and security of navigation.

It wasn't China that made a big deal about it, go tell that to the American propaganda machine thats going bonkers.

These will become routine patrols for the PLAN. So America better get used to it

They will get used to it as with many other things.

If not, it is sort of easy to throw some non-event (like another drilling platform in SCS) and distract. But maybe drilling platform has also become routine and the new normal.

Maybe some ADIZ somewhere.

 

[Oldman1]

It wasn't China that made a big deal about it, go tell that to the American propaganda machine thats going bonkers.

These will become routine patrols for the PLAN. So America better get used to it

Was the U.S. govt. that made a deal about it or the newspapers? Because I know for sure that China makes a big deal (especially the Chinese gov.t) out of it when American warships are near Chinese shores. So China better get used to it. Course the Chinese govt. would probably say its different like always.

Chinese ships headed home after Bering Sea sighting: U.S. Navy - Yahoo News

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Five Chinese Navy ships sighted in the Bering Sea off Alaska during a visit to the region by U.S. President Barack Obama have begun their "return transit," the U.S. Navy's top uniformed officer told Reuters on Thursday.

Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Jonathan Greenert said he did not view the incident, an apparent first for China's military, as unexpected or alarming.

"They already had one of their icebreakers up in that area, and they weren't that far away with an exercise, and they've already started their return transit," he told Reuters in an interview.

Greenert said the ships had been seen in the Bering Sea, close to some Alaskan atolls, on Wednesday, but gave no further details.

The Pentagon confirmed on Wednesday the ships had been sailing in international waters.

At a regular State Department briefing in Washington on Thursday, spokesman Mark Toner said: “This is certainly the first time we have observed Chinese navy ships in the Bering Sea, but that said, we do certainly respect the freedom of all nations to operate military vessels in international waters in accordance with international law.”

 

[TaiShang]

In Dramatic Escalation, China Sends Five Navy Ships Off Alaska Coast For First Time Ever

09/02/2015 21:26 -0400


Five Chinese navy ships are currently operating in the Bering Sea, off the coast of Alaska, the first time the U.S. military has seen such activity in the area, Pentagon officials said Wednesday.

The officials said they have been aware in recent days that three Chinese combat ships, a replenishment vessel and an amphibious ship were in the vicinity after observing them moving toward the Aleutian Islands, which are split between U.S. and Russian control.



They said the Chinese ships were still in the area, but declined to specify when the vessels were first spotted or how far they were from the coast of Alaska.

The Pentagon official said there were a “variety of opinions” on how to interpret the Chinese ships’ deployment.

“It’s difficult to tell exactly, but it indicates some interest in the Arctic region,” the official said. “It’s different.”

"Different" indeed, as in "uprecedented", and while we won’t endeavor to jump to conclusions, we would note that the PLA hasn’t exactly been shy when it comes to challenging the US from a maritime perspective of late and of course, the US has had its ships and carriers to the east and south of China for decades, so it would appear that Xi is intent on giving Washington a taste of its own medicine.

But don't worry, the Commander in Chief is on the scene - literally.



***

I admit, the US corporate media way too much exaggerates this. I wonder why some normal, and now to be regular stuff becomes headlines.

 

[hexagonsnow]

International waters are international waters, not USA waters.
This news shouldn't be news.

Cause it is china, so it is a news for US.

 

[Beidou2020]

Was the U.S. govt. that made a deal about it or the newspapers? Because I know for sure that China makes a big deal (especially the Chinese gov.t) out of it when American warships are near Chinese shores. So China better get used to it. Course the Chinese govt. would probably say its different like always.

Chinese ships headed home after Bering Sea sighting: U.S. Navy - Yahoo News

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Five Chinese Navy ships sighted in the Bering Sea off Alaska during a visit to the region by U.S. President Barack Obama have begun their "return transit," the U.S. Navy's top uniformed officer told Reuters on Thursday.

Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Jonathan Greenert said he did not view the incident, an apparent first for China's military, as unexpected or alarming.

"They already had one of their icebreakers up in that area, and they weren't that far away with an exercise, and they've already started their return transit," he told Reuters in an interview.

Greenert said the ships had been seen in the Bering Sea, close to some Alaskan atolls, on Wednesday, but gave no further details.

The Pentagon confirmed on Wednesday the ships had been sailing in international waters.

At a regular State Department briefing in Washington on Thursday, spokesman Mark Toner said: “This is certainly the first time we have observed Chinese navy ships in the Bering Sea, but that said, we do certainly respect the freedom of all nations to operate military vessels in international waters in accordance with international law.”

Since this is the first time PLAN ships have been near the US, the thugs in the American regime were surprised. Watch how that tone changes overtime as China does more global patrols. There will be an increase in number of ships and frequency of patrols. Probably even do military exercises with Latin American countries in the future.

Russia and China did military exercises in the Mediterranean Sea which I believe is a first for China.

China is increasing its presence in South Asia too.

PLAN is going global. Expect to see more global patrols and exercises with more countries.

I am glad China has decided to view things more globally instead of regionally. This is a welcome change. The worlds largest manufacturing nation and largest trading nation should have its Navy become more global protecting its sea lines of communication. This will be the start of PLAN being a global force doing global patrols. No wonder China is building so many warships.

 

[TaiShang]

Since this is the first time PLAN ships have been near the US, the thugs in the American regime were surprised. Watch how that tone changes overtime as China does more global patrols. There will be an increase in number of ships and frequency of patrols. Probably even do military exercises with Latin American countries in the future.

Russia and China did military exercises in the Mediterranean Sea which I believe is a first for China.

China is increasing its presence in South Asia too.

PLAN is going global. Expect to see more global patrols and exercises with more countries.

I am glad China has decided to view things more globally instead of regionally. This is a welcome change. The worlds largest manufacturing nation and largest trading nation should have its Navy become more global protecting its sea lines of communication. This will be the start of PLAN being a global force doing global patrols. No wonder China is building so many warships.

Exactly. International free trade is more dear to us than anybody else on this planet.

We will do our best to protect our interests and the interests of our allies.

 

[anon45]

US is not used to seeing PLAN ships near the US. This is a first, so it makes news.

possible... if it was a first then I suppose its noteworthy of an article, but otherwise it doesn't mean much.

You guys act as if we should give China some prize for sending ships through international waters close to the US? If so get in line

You Chinese emphasize that this is the new normal as if its something we should be afraid of or angry at, it's laughable. Go right ahead, we'll continue to do the same, just stop complaining about it already.

 

[Oldman1]

Since this is the first time PLAN ships have been near the US, the thugs in the American regime were surprised. Watch how that tone changes overtime as China does more global patrols. There will be an increase in number of ships and frequency of patrols. Probably even do military exercises with Latin American countries in the future.

Russia and China did military exercises in the Mediterranean Sea which I believe is a first for China.

China is increasing its presence in South Asia too.

PLAN is going global. Expect to see more global patrols and exercises with more countries.

I am glad China has decided to view things more globally instead of regionally. This is a welcome change. The worlds largest manufacturing nation and largest trading nation should have its Navy become more global protecting its sea lines of communication. This will be the start of PLAN being a global force doing global patrols. No wonder China is building so many warships.

Not a surprise to the U.S. govt. since the ships were tracked for days prior to heading to the Bering Sea. You already had exercises with an Latin American country in the past. Think it was with Argentina.

Exactly. International free trade is more dear to us than anybody else on this planet.

We will do our best to protect our interests and the interests of our allies.

Indeed international trade is more dear to us than anybody else. Has been and always will be.

 

[Beidou2020]

possible... if it was a first then I suppose its noteworthy of an article, but otherwise it doesn't mean much.

You guys act as if we should give China some prize for sending ships through international waters close to the US? If so get in line

You Chinese emphasize that this is the new normal as if its something we should be afraid of or angry at, it's laughable. Go right ahead, we'll continue to do the same, just stop complaining about it already.

US does it, China will now do it.
win-win.

Not a surprise to the U.S. govt. since the ships were tracked for days prior to heading to the Bering Sea. You already had exercises with an Latin American country in the past. Think it was with Argentina.



Indeed international trade is more dear to us than anybody else. Has been and always will be.

Good, US ships are tracked too.

 

[kawaraj]

This is news because the geopolitics and sensitive timing. The US not attending China's WWII ceremony and China was coming to the US with a Thanks notes? Or you are sitting with the enemy while China and Russia are remember V day?

 

[Oldman1]

This is news because the geopolitics and sensitive timing. The US not attending China's WWII ceremony and China was coming to the US with a Thanks notes? Or you are sitting with the enemy while China and Russia are remember V day?

Beats me. If they sent those ships where Obama was visiting because they were pissed about U.S. refusal to attend the parade. I guess they were that sensitive.

Honestly, its a parade. The U.S. sent military personnel to attend the Russian Victory parade and they hardly show the U.S. compared to other participants. Not worth our time then.