Canada, U.S. shadow Chinese research ships in the Arctic as concern grows over Snow Dragons’ presence

Both Canada and the U.S. have been quietly shadowing two Chinese icebreaking research ships in Arctic waters off Alaska over the last couple of weeks. The Xue Long (Snow Dragon) and Xue Long (Snow Dragon) 2 sailed north through the U.S. exclusive economic zone in the Bering Sea in July, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. The appearance of Chinese research ships every summer in the Arctic Ocean over the last few years has been a subject of growing concern among security and defence officials. Data compiled by Steffan Watkins, an independent research consultant and ship tracker, shows a Royal…