China Says It Will Return Unmanned Underwater Drone to United States
Earlier this week, it was reported that the Chinese military had seized an unmanned underwater vehicle from the United States Navy in the South China Sea.
The drone was part of an oceanographic survey mission testing underwater conditions when a Chinese ship grabbed it. The Navy ship contacted the Chinese to return the vehicle but was ignored that the Chinese vessel subsequently left.
Well, it appears that China has now agreed to return the drone to the U.S., according to the Pentagon.
“We have registered our objection to China’s unlawful seizure of a US unmanned underwater vehicle operating in international waters in the South China Sea. Through direct engagement with Chinese authorities, we have secured an understanding that the Chinese will return the UUV to the United States,” Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook said in a statement.
The Chinese Defense Ministry confirmed that they were returning the vessel to America, stating that once they verified the vehicle was American then “the Chinese side decided to transfer it to the US side in an appropriate manner.” At the same time, they criticized the United States for how they “unilaterally hyped up the issue.”
Earlier today, President-elect Donald Trump took to Twitter to comment on the action, calling it an “unprecedented act.”
China steals United States Navy research drone in international waters – rips it out of water and takes it to China in unprecedented act.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 17, 2016
Prior to this tweet, Trump had to delete a tweet that called it an “unpresidented” act, leading to much ridicule on Twitter.
There are concerns that diplomatic relations between the U.S. and China could become more strained under a Trump administration. China was extremely upset over Trump violating the ‘One China’ policy by speaking on the phone with the President of Taiwan. Trump has also been very critical of China regarding trade and currency policies.
[image via screengrab]
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