Vice Admiral Andrew J. Tiongson, U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area Commander, has noted an increase in Chinese and Russian navy activity around Alaska and the northern Pacific. Both countries have been conducting operations in the region, occasionally crossing into the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone. Tiongson stated that the U.S. Coast Guard ensures a presence in response to these activities, establishing communications with the foreign vessels. Encounters with Chinese and Russian ships have been professional so far, with information being exchanged with the U.S. military and Canada.
In addition to the situation in the northern Pacific, Tiongson also addressed the ongoing confrontation between the Philippines and China around Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. While the U.S. Coast Guard has not been asked to provide escort to Philippine vessels, they have been advising and assisting in other ways. This assistance includes helping the Philippine coast guard develop plans for the situation. Tiongson emphasized that the U.S. Coast Guard’s role is to advise and assist, not accompany the Philippine vessels in the confrontation with China.
Overall, Tiongson’s comments highlight the U.S. Coast Guard’s monitoring of Chinese and Russian naval activities in the northern Pacific, as well as their involvement in advising and assisting the Philippine coast guard in the South China Sea confrontation. The encounters with foreign vessels have been professional, with the U.S. Coast Guard ensuring a presence in response to incursions into U.S. territory.
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