Archive · 20 Nov 2025
Chinese Research Ships, US Military Active in North Pacific
In October, five Chinese research ships were busy in the northwest Pacific, including ones used for tracking and mapping.
Meanwhile, the US held many military exercises in the same area.
These activities happened near small Pacific islands, which some people worry could make them targets in a big conflict.
Five Chinese research vessels active in northwest Pacific in October
Includes ships used for space and missile tracking, underwater mapping
US stepped up military exercises in the region, held nine multilateral drills
Chinese vessels near Kiribati, US vessels near Guam, Micronesia, and Marshall Islands
US military bases and footprint spread across Micronesia
- Who
- Chinese and US militaries
- What
- Increased military and research activities in the northwest Pacific
- When
- October 2022
- Where
- Northwest Pacific, near small Pacific islands like Kiribati, Guam, Micronesia, and Marshall Islands
- Why
- To gather information, practice military drills, and potentially monitor each other's activities
Pacific Center for Island Security
US and Chinese Militaries
Militarization in the Northern Pacific
Pacific Center for Island Security
Expresses concern about insufficient attention to rapid militarization in the region, making island populations potential targets in great-power conflicts
US and Chinese Militaries
Chinese and US militaries actively conducting research and military exercises in the region
- Chinese Research Vessels
- 5
- US Military Exercises
- 9 (August-November 2022)
- Chinese Vessel Types
- Space and missile tracking, underwater mapping
- US Military Bases
- Guam, Marshall Islands, Palau, Federated States of Micronesia, and Marshall Islands (overflight rights and maritime access)
- Funding for Monitor Project
- Commercial donors, Carnegie Corporation, Sasakawa Peace Foundation