ASIA PACIFIC

China returns seized U.S. drone at center of diplomatic row

Crew members aboard the VOS Raasay recover U.S. and British Royal Navy ocean 'gliders' taking part in an exercise off the northwest coast of Scotland in October. A similar unmanned underwater vehicle belonging to the U.S. was seized by the Chinese Navy in international waters off the coast of the Philippines on Thursday and returned Tuesday. | U.S. NAVY / VIA REUTERS

By Jesse Johnson
Staff Writer

Dec 20, 2016

Beijing has returned a U.S. underwater drone seized last week in the South China Sea by a Chinese Navy vessel after "friendly" talks between the two countries, China's Defense Ministry said in a short statement posted to its website Tuesday.

"After friendly consultations between the Chinese and U.S. sides, the handover work for the U.S. underwater drone was smoothly completed in relevant waters in the South China Sea at midday on Dec. 20," the statement said.

The Pentagon confirmed the handover, but criticized the Chinese Navy over the move.

China returns seized U.S. drone at center of diplomatic row

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