China’s coast guard enters Arctic for the first time for patrol with Russia

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(Reuters) – A Chinese coast guard fleet has entered the Arctic sea for the first time, for a joint patrol with Russian counterparts, state media reported on Wednesday.

The arrival of ship “Meishan” on Tuesday coincided with the 75th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China, state television said. It also marked the 75th anniversary of China-Russia diplomatic relations.

This follows similar joint patrols the two nations have been carrying out in the northern Pacific Ocean since Sept. 21, the report said.

Arctic sea routes are being used increasingly as an alternative trade route between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans as global warming shrinks ice packs and allows vessels longer ice-free periods in the seas.

Although significantly shorter, the routes are challenging and often require the assistance of icebreakers to help vessels pass along the northern coast of Russia.

China and Russia have been working together to develop Arctic shipping routes as Russia seeks to deliver more oil and gas to China amid Western sanctions, while China seeks an alternative shipping route to reduce its dependence on the Strait of Malacca in Southeast Asia.

(Reporting by Chen Aizhu; Editing by Neil Fullick)