Russia-China joint naval patrol near Alaska sparks tensions

A total of 11 Chinese and Russian military vessels executed a joint naval patrol near the Alaskan coast earlier this week, a highly provocative move, security experts warn.

The Russian and Chinese naval forces were spotted near the Aleutian Islands in Alaska.

In response, the U.S. dispatched a fleet of four navy destroyers and a P-8 Poseidon aircraft that closely monitored and trailed the departing ships. The U.S. Northern Command verified that the warships strategically avoided breaching our territorial waters.

It is not the first occurrence of joint exercises in the region. Over the past three years, Chinese and Russian naval ships have been spotted near U.S. waters at least thrice.

Escalating concerns
The naval exercise raised concerns about the deepening alliance between the Kremlin and Beijing amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

• The U.S-China relationship is already tense, clouded with issues related to Taiwan’s political status and a sharp decline in trade activities between Beijing and Washington.
• U.S. imports from China are down by 24% compared to the same time last year, according to the Census Bureau.
• Firms like HP, Stanley Black & Decker, and Lego are repositioning their supply chains to cater to American consumers.