DHAKA: Five Chinese naval ships are currently positioned in the Bering Sea off the coast of Alaska.

US officials confirm, reports the BBC.

It is believed to be the first time Chinese military vessels have been seen operating in the area.

Officials say they have been monitoring the ships' activities, but said they were operating in international waters.

In recent years Beijing has taken a more assertive stance on maritime territorial disputes with Japan and South East Asian nations.

US defense officials have spotted three Chinese combat ships, a supply vessel and an amphibious ship moving toward the Aleutian Islands which is split between Russian and US control, according to the Wall Street Journal.

They were seen not far from where US President Barack Obama is visiting as part of his three-day tour of Alaska to raise awareness of the effects of climate change on the state.

‘We are aware of the five People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) ships in the Bering Sea. This is the first time we have observed PLAN ships in the Bering Sea,’ US defense department spokesman Bill Urban told the BBC on Wednesday.

‘We respect the freedom of all nations to operate military vessels in international waters in accordance with international law,’ he said.

BDST: 1222 HRS, SEPT 03, 2015
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