American President Barack Obama was in Alaska when Pentagon officials announced that at least five Chinese ships have been seen operating in the Bering Sea near the state's coastal waters. Although the ships did not appear to have any hostile intentions, analysts say China is sending a message to the United States.

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The U.S. military said that the Chinese naval fleet consisted of three surface class warships, an amphibious assault boat and an auxiliary tanker ship. Captain Jeff Davis, a Pentagon spokesperson, said it is the first time that they have encountered the Chinese Navy in the Bering Sea - which is practically an American backyard.

Beijing has been spending heavily on acquiring military ships that have blue water capabilities.

Josh Earnest, a White House spokesperson, said they have no idea why the Chinese flotilla is sailing in the Bering sea. Washington-based Heritage Foundation spokesperson Dean Cheng believes that the Chinese ships sailing near Alaska is meant to make a statement to the U.S. that China's navy now has blue water capabilities.

Recently, Chinese commercial ships have increased their trips in the Arctic Ocean in order to save on shipping costs.

There have been speculations that Beijing may have timed the Chinese navy fleet to make its appearance just as Obama is visiting Alaska. It is also possible that the Chinese ships had participated in Sino-Russo naval war game held recently.

There are speculations that this recent move by China may be in retaliation over the U.S. patrolling the Spratlys islands in the Pacific. China has warned the U.S. that its patrols are entering into areas it deems as its territory. The disputed islands are being claimed in whole or in part by China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan.

On Thursday, China hosted a military parade in Beijing to celebrate Japan's defeat in the Second World War. The parade involved thousands of Chinese soldiers as well as various weapons and military vehicles. It is thought that around 14 million Chinese citizens died at the hands of the Imperial Japanese army during the war.

Several international leaders attended the Chinese parade including Vladimir Putin from Russia and President Omar al Bashir from Sudan.

TagsChinese ship, Chinese fleet, Bering Sea, Alaska, Barack Obama, Spratlys islands dispute, Aleutian Islands, Chinese Fleet Bering Sea