CHINA HANDS OVER TO US UNDERWATER DRONE TAKEN IN SOUTH CHINA SEA

BEIJING— China has returned a US underwater drone taken by a Chinese naval vessel in the South China Sea last week after “friendly” talks between the two countries, China’s Defense Ministry said on Tuesday.

China’s seizure of the unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) triggered a diplomatic protest and speculation about whether it will strengthen US President-elect Donald Trump’s hand as he seeks a tougher line with Beijing.

A Chinese naval ship took the drone, which the Pentagon says uses unclassified, commer- cially available technology to collect oceanographic data, on Thursday, about 90 kilometers northwest of Subic Bay in the Philippines.

“After friendly consultations between the Chinese and US sides, the hand-over work for the US underwater drone was smoothly completed in relevant waters in the South China Sea at midday on Dec. 20,” the ministry said in a short statement.

Spying

The defense ministry did not immediately respond to a request for more details about the handover.

The seizure has added to US concerns about China’s growing military presence and aggressive posture in the disputed South China Sea, including its militarization of maritime outposts.

The US Navy has about 130 such underwater drones, made by Teledyne Webb, each weighing about 60 kilograms and able to stay underwater for up to five months. They are used to collect unclassified data about oceans, including temperature and depth. They are used around the world, but it is unclear how many are used in the South China Sea.

China is deeply suspicious of any US military activities in the resource-rich South China Sea, with state media and experts saying the use of the drone was likely part of American surveillance efforts in the disputed waterway.

The Pentagon says the marine probe is a commercial craft that gathers data that can be used to help submarines navigate and determine sonar ranges in murky waters. It was not the first time the US Navy had lost such a probe. One was taken near Vietnam earlier this year, but who took it and what became of it remain unclear.

Last week’s seizure was the first time China had “brazenly stolen a piece of US government property,” a defense official said.

Unlawful incident

China said the drone had been snatched since it might pose a safety hazard to other vessels. It also said it “strongly opposed” US reconnaissance activities and had asked Washington to stop them.

The incident unfolded when a Chinese Dalang-III class submarine rescue ship stopped within 500 meters of the civilian-crewed USNS Bowditch and snatched one of a pair of probes. The Americans safely hoisted the other one back onto their ship.

The US official said the Chinese ship had been shadowing the Bowditch for “a number of days.” China’s seizure of the bright-yellow, unmanned underwater vehicle has prompted sharp words between Washington and Beijing, with US diplomats protesting the “unlawful” incident.

President-elect Donald Trump further ratcheted up tensions by accusing China of theft.—