Recently, Chinese and Russian bombers have approached the US state of Alaska to conduct "airspace patrolling", a move seen as a sign of growing Sino-Russian cooperation and a threat to the US-led military alliance.
Recently, Chinese and Russian bombers have approached the US state of Alaska to conduct "airspace patrolling", a move seen as a sign of growing Sino-Russian cooperation and a threat to the US-led military alliance.
US and Canadian fighter jets intercepted two Russian and two Chinese bombers in international airspace near Alaska on July 24, the North American Air Defense Command (NORAD) said.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin responded on Thursday that Russian and Chinese bombers flew for the first time in international airspace off the coast of Alaska, a new sign of China-Russia military cooperation and expressed concern. China and Russia have acknowledged that they conduct "joint patrols" in the Bering Sea space that separates Russia and Alaska.
Dr. Gordon Chang, a political analyst in the United States, expressed his opinion on this matter: "China and Russia are trying to scare the United States. The best way to do this is to send nuclear-capable bombers near Alaska. This time China and Russia did it. They told the US that if there was a war in Asia, it would not only be against China, but Russia would also be involved. It's definitely a strong signal."
China's Ministry of National Defense made a statement about this "joint patrol" and said: "As part of the annual cooperation plan, the air forces of China and Russia have formed a 'joint strategic air patrol' in the airspace of the Bering Sea. "This action is not aimed at third parties and has nothing to do with the current international and regional situation."
Dr. Henryk Szadziewski, a researcher at the Uyghur Human Rights Foundation, disagreed with this statement, noting that the move did not directly target the United States, but sent a strong signal to the United States. He said:
"If (Chinese spokesman) Zhang Xiaogang's spying is not aimed at a third party, then why is the US worried? Even if that surveillance does not directly target a third party, namely the United States, China and Russia's cooperation in this international space sends a signal to the United States. Cooperation between China and Russia is increasing, and they are putting themselves in the shoes of the United States. I mean, this joint patrol by China and Russia gives the United States an indirect message, that is, a signal. At the same time, they are showing strength on America's borders.
Shen Yi, a professor of international politics at Fuden University, said in his review: "China's actions will show China's power and cause the United States to change some decisions; China will increase its ability to effectively play strategic games with the United States and maintain strategic stability. As the system continues to improve, it effectively forces the United States to change its decisions.''
The North American Air Defense Command indicated that Chinese and Russian bombers approaching Alaska did not enter the sovereign airspace of the United States or Canada and were not considered a threat. Iris Ferguson, the US Department of Defense's deputy assistant secretary for Arctic policy, said: "As we see the growing Sino-Russian cooperation, especially from a military perspective, I understand that it is somewhat threatening, but it needs attention."
So does China and Russia sending nuclear-capable bombers near Alaska to "surveill airspace" pose a threat to the United States?
Dr. Gordon Chang answered our question and said, "Of course, the United States' joint patrolling by China and Russia near Alaska's airspace is a threat to the United States." In particular, the use of bombers capable of carrying nuclear weapons by the Russians and China in this patrol is an extremely dangerous situation. We don't know what's inside the planes. Of course, it's a threat. We need to be more open and honest with the public about the nature of the activities undertaken by China and Russia. In this case, the Chinese and Russians think we are afraid of them. Of course we don't want them to think that way. Of course, this patrol is related to the tension in the Pacific Ocean.
China and Russia's growing military alliance is known to raise concerns among countries in NATO and the Asia-Pacific region. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) considers China to be a "decisive force" in Russia's war against Ukraine due to China's "unfettered partnership" and China's extensive support for Russia's defense industry.
On July 10, NATO issued the "Washington Declaration of NATO Leaders" in Washington with the approval of 32 NATO member countries. The declaration declared that China poses a direct threat to NATO's security.
Dr. Henrik Szczewski and Gordon Chang noted that China and Russia sending bombers near Alaska cannot be seen in isolation from the growing tensions in the Pacific and Arctic. At the same time, China and Russia argued that the move was made to gain an advantage in geopolitical competition with the United States in the Arctic.