A Chinese research icebreaker, Xue Long 2, was detected Friday in the U.S. Extended Continental Shelf about 290 nautical miles north of Alaska, prompting surveillance by the U.S. Coast Guard.

While not in U.S. territorial waters, the ship was inside a zone where the U.S. holds exclusive rights to manage resources.

Canada is also monitoring the vessel’s Arctic movements, CBS News has reported.

The sighting follows increased military activity in the region, including recent Russian aircraft entering the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone and past joint incursions by Chinese and Russian bombers.

Written by B.C. Begley