Five Chinese Navy Ships Spotted Off Alaska During President Obama's Visit (Updated)

Washington Post: China sends warships into Bering Sea as Obama concludes Alaska visit

On the last day of President’s Obama’s visit to Alaska, the U.S. military observed five Chinese warships plying the waters of the Bering Sea for the first time, but Pentagon officials said Thursday the foray was no cause for alarm.

“This is the first time we have observed [Chinese navy] ships in the Bering Sea,” said Cmdr. Bill Urban, a Pentagon spokesman. “We respect the freedom of all nations to operate military vessels in international waters in accordance with international law.”

The Chinese foray Wednesday in the frigid sea between Russia and Alaska came after the vessels participated in a naval exercise with Russia. At a military parade Thursday in Beijing marking the end of World War II, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced a reduction in the size of the country’s armed forces as part of moves to modernize the military and shift resources from ground forces to the Chinese navy and air force.

WNU Editor: China has responded that these naval manoeuvres are just normal drills .... China says naval ships in Bering Sea on normal drills (Reuters). but this analysis is probably more accurate .... Why Is the PLAN Near Alaska? (Ankit Panda, The Diplomat).

More News On Chinese Naval Vessels Operating Off The Coast Of Alaska

5 Chinese Warships Spotted Off Alaska Coast during Obama's Visit -- Military.com/FOX News
Five Chinese Navy Ships Are Operating in Bering Sea off Alaska -- WSJ
Five Chinese ships in Bering Sea as Obama visits Alaska -- Reuters
Five Chinese ships seen off Alaska coast, Pentagon says -- BBC
Chinese naval ships spotted off Alaska coast during Obama visit to state -- The Guardian/AFP
PLA fleet spotted in Bering Strait off Alaska -- Want China Times
Chinese Warships Maneuver Near Alaska Coast for First Time Ever -- Sputnik
In a First, Chinese Navy Sails Off Alaska -- NYT