Group 1 - The Canadian military and possibly the coast guard are closely monitoring the Chinese research vessel "Xuelong 2," which has appeared in the Arctic waters near Alaska for the second consecutive year [1][2] - A CP-140 reconnaissance aircraft from the Canadian Air Force was reported to be flying near "Xuelong 2" as it left the Bering Strait on the 20th of this month, although the Canadian Department of National Defence did not confirm the aircraft's presence [1] - The Canadian military stated that they will continue necessary activities to detect, deter, and defend against potential threats within and near Canadian territory, emphasizing that "Xuelong 2" is not currently in Canadian territorial waters [1] Group 2 - The Canadian Coast Guard was reported to have been following "Xuelong 2" until it crossed the Bering Strait, but initially provided vague responses regarding their mission [2] - The Coast Guard later denied monitoring "Xuelong 2," claiming their focus was on the migration routes of key species like Pacific salmon, despite data showing only one-third of the vessel's recent journey aligned with known salmon migration paths [2] - An expert from Beijing Foreign Studies University noted that Canada seems reluctant to disclose details about the incident, suggesting that the monitoring activities are essentially harassment of civilian vessels, and emphasized that China's research activities comply with international maritime law [2]

Core Points - The third United Nations Ocean Conference commenced on June 9 in Nice, France, focusing on promoting ocean protection and the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14 [1][3] - A key objective of the conference is to push for the ratification of the agreement on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, which requires approval from 60 countries to become binding international law [3][5] - The conference highlights the urgent need for funding to support Sustainable Development Goal 14, which is currently one of the least funded goals [5][7] Group 1 - The conference agenda includes discussions on the challenges facing ocean protection, emphasizing the relationship between climate action, ocean health, and biodiversity loss [3][4] - French President Macron and other leaders stressed the importance of basing discussions on scientific evidence rather than subjective opinions, expressing strong support for marine research [3][4] - The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has faced significant cuts under the previous administration, raising concerns about the impact on marine research and multilateral cooperation [4] Group 2 - The conference includes a Blue Economy and Finance Forum aimed at addressing financing for ocean protection, with discussions on raising funds through financial institutions, private investments, and blue bonds [7][8] - The final declaration, known as the "Nice Ocean Action Plan," will address key issues such as funding, fishing practices, and deep-sea exploration [8] - The international community is urged to unite in addressing these challenges to restore the vibrant and diverse oceans of the past, as highlighted by UN Secretary-General Guterres [8]