WASHINGTON — Five Chinese warships have moved into the Bering Sea near Alaska after participating in a naval exercise with Russia, but officials said they don’t view the ships as a threat as President Obama travels near the Arctic Circle.

The U.S. military has been aware of ships and has been tracking their movements for days as they moved through international waters, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said aboard Air Force One.

Navy Cdr. Bill Urban, a Pentagon spokesman, said this is the first time that the U.S. has seen ships from the People’s Liberation Army Navy in the Bering Sea.

“We respect the freedom of all nations to operate military vessels in international waters in accordance with international law,” Urban said.


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