Washington: Pentagon officials on Friday accused China of seizing an unmanned underwater vehicle of US Navy Ship that was collecting unclassified scientific data in the South China Sea.
Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook in a statement said that the underwater vehicle had two unclassified 'ocean gliders' - unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) — in the water, conducting "routine operations in accordance with international law."
Navy Capt. Jeff Davis said that a formal diplomatic complaint have been filed and China has been asked to return the drone.
"We call upon China to return our UUV immediately, and to comply with all of its obligations under international law," Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook said in his statement.