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| China 'seizes US vessel' in S China Sea | China 'seizes US vessel' in S China Sea |
| (2 days later) | |
| The US has issued a formal request to China to deliver an underwater drone that was seized in international waters, US officials say. | |
| The Chinese navy seized the US underwater research vessel in the South China Sea on Thursday, the US alleges. | The Chinese navy seized the US underwater research vessel in the South China Sea on Thursday, the US alleges. |
| The incident took place just as the USNS Bowditch, an oceanographic survey ship, was about to retrieve it. | The incident took place just as the USNS Bowditch, an oceanographic survey ship, was about to retrieve it. |
| The device, dubbed an "ocean glider", was used to test water salinity and temperature, officials say. | The device, dubbed an "ocean glider", was used to test water salinity and temperature, officials say. |
| The data was part of an unclassified programme to map underwater channels, Pentagon spokesman Capt Jeff Davis told reporters. | The data was part of an unclassified programme to map underwater channels, Pentagon spokesman Capt Jeff Davis told reporters. |
| "It was taken" by China, Capt Davis said during a press briefing on Friday. | "It was taken" by China, Capt Davis said during a press briefing on Friday. |
| "The UUV [unmanned underwater vehicle] was lawfully conducting a military survey in the waters of the South China Sea," he added. | "The UUV [unmanned underwater vehicle] was lawfully conducting a military survey in the waters of the South China Sea," he added. |
| "It's a sovereign immune vessel, clearly marked in English not to be removed from the water - that it was US property." | "It's a sovereign immune vessel, clearly marked in English not to be removed from the water - that it was US property." |
| Analysis - Carrie Gracie, BBC China Editor | Analysis - Carrie Gracie, BBC China Editor |
| The Chinese seizure of a US navy drone only serves to increase uncertainty and tension between the US and China, coming in the same week as a US think tank published satellite images of anti-aircraft missiles on China's artificial islands in the South China Seas and in the aftermath of remarks from US President-elect Donald Trump criticising China for building what he called a "massive fortress" in the region. | The Chinese seizure of a US navy drone only serves to increase uncertainty and tension between the US and China, coming in the same week as a US think tank published satellite images of anti-aircraft missiles on China's artificial islands in the South China Seas and in the aftermath of remarks from US President-elect Donald Trump criticising China for building what he called a "massive fortress" in the region. |
| Despite previous statements that China had no intention of militarising the islands, the Chinese Defence Ministry defended what it described as "necessary military facilities" which it called "proper and legitimate". | Despite previous statements that China had no intention of militarising the islands, the Chinese Defence Ministry defended what it described as "necessary military facilities" which it called "proper and legitimate". |
| Since Mr Trump questioned the so-called "One China" policy which Beijing describes as the 'political bedrock' of the US China relationship, China has also mounted fighter exercises over the Taiwan Strait. | Since Mr Trump questioned the so-called "One China" policy which Beijing describes as the 'political bedrock' of the US China relationship, China has also mounted fighter exercises over the Taiwan Strait. |
| The Obama administration has reaffirmed what it called its "unwavering commitment" to the "One China" policy but the seizure of a US navy drone may be Beijing's way of sending a message to the incoming administration that it too has ways of disrupting expectations and upsetting the status quo. | The Obama administration has reaffirmed what it called its "unwavering commitment" to the "One China" policy but the seizure of a US navy drone may be Beijing's way of sending a message to the incoming administration that it too has ways of disrupting expectations and upsetting the status quo. |
| The encounter occurred in the South China Sea about 50 miles (80km) northwest of Subic Bay, Philippines, the US says. | The encounter occurred in the South China Sea about 50 miles (80km) northwest of Subic Bay, Philippines, the US says. |
| "The Chinese navy ship ASR-510, a Dalang III-class ship, approached within 500 yards of the Bowditch, launched a small boat, and seized the UUV," the Pentagon said in a statement. | "The Chinese navy ship ASR-510, a Dalang III-class ship, approached within 500 yards of the Bowditch, launched a small boat, and seized the UUV," the Pentagon said in a statement. |
| The Bowditch made radio contact with the Chinese ship to demand its immediate return but were "ignored". | The Bowditch made radio contact with the Chinese ship to demand its immediate return but were "ignored". |
| "This is not the sort of conduct we expect from professional navies," Capt Davis added. | "This is not the sort of conduct we expect from professional navies," Capt Davis added. |
| The seizure will likely add to US concerns about the growing military posture taken by China in the South China Sea. | The seizure will likely add to US concerns about the growing military posture taken by China in the South China Sea. |
| A US think tank reported this week that aerial imagery shows that China has installed weaponry along seven artificial islands they have built at sea, despite US protests. | A US think tank reported this week that aerial imagery shows that China has installed weaponry along seven artificial islands they have built at sea, despite US protests. |
| In November 2015, two US B-52 bomber planes flew over the man-made islands, known as the Spratly Islands. | In November 2015, two US B-52 bomber planes flew over the man-made islands, known as the Spratly Islands. |
| Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook said the device was a "sovereign immune vessel of the United States" and demanded its immediate return from China. | Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook said the device was a "sovereign immune vessel of the United States" and demanded its immediate return from China. |
| Senator Ben Cardin, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations committee, called the seizure "a remarkably brazen violation of international law". | Senator Ben Cardin, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations committee, called the seizure "a remarkably brazen violation of international law". |
| Senior Republican Senator John McCain said the US should not tolerate "such outrageous conduct", adding that "this brazen provocation fits a pattern of increasingly destabilizing Chinese behaviour, including bullying its neighbours and militarising the South China Sea". | Senior Republican Senator John McCain said the US should not tolerate "such outrageous conduct", adding that "this brazen provocation fits a pattern of increasingly destabilizing Chinese behaviour, including bullying its neighbours and militarising the South China Sea". |
| "This behaviour will continue until it is met with a strong and determined US response, which until now the Obama administration has failed to provide," Mr McCain added. | "This behaviour will continue until it is met with a strong and determined US response, which until now the Obama administration has failed to provide," Mr McCain added. |
| More on the South China Sea dispute | More on the South China Sea dispute |
| Flying close to Beijing's new South China Sea islands | Flying close to Beijing's new South China Sea islands |
| What is the "One China" policy? | What is the "One China" policy? |