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China returns seized US sea drone China returns seized underwater US drone
(35 minutes later)
A US underwater drone seized by China last week has now been returned, the Pentagon has confirmed.A US underwater drone seized by China last week has now been returned, the Pentagon has confirmed.
The drone was handed over close to the location it was seized, some 92km north-west of Subic Bay.The drone was handed over close to the location it was seized, some 92km north-west of Subic Bay.
A statement said the US will "fly, sail, and operate in the South China Sea" where international law allows.A statement said the US will "fly, sail, and operate in the South China Sea" where international law allows.
China captured the vessel in international waters last Thursday, in one of the most serious confrontations between the powers in decades.China captured the vessel in international waters last Thursday, in one of the most serious confrontations between the powers in decades.
"After friendly consultations between the Chinese and U.S. sides, the handover was smoothly completed at midday", China's defence ministry said in a statement on Tuesday."After friendly consultations between the Chinese and U.S. sides, the handover was smoothly completed at midday", China's defence ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.
The Pentagon had said the drone, known as an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV), was being used to carry out scientific research at the time it was captured.The Pentagon had said the drone, known as an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV), was being used to carry out scientific research at the time it was captured.
It added that the incident was inconsistent with international law and codes of conduct between navies at sea, and that it would continue to investigate. The latest statement described the incident as inconsistent with international law and codes of conduct between navies at sea, and that it would continue to investigate.
his breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest version. 'Let them keep it'
If you want to receive Breaking News alerts via email, or on a smartphone or tablet via the BBC News App then details on how to do so are available on this help page. You can also follow @BBCBreaking on Twitter to get the latest alerts. A Chinese Navy ship seized the unmanned drone 92km (57 miles) north-west of Subic Bay near the Philippines in the South China Sea on Thursday.
The craft was retrieved and examined to maintain the safety of passing vessels, China's defence ministry said in a statement.
Although an agreement on the return of the drone was eventually reached, it did not come before sharp exchanges and a formal diplomatic complaint by the US.
US President-elect Donald Trump also accused the Chinese of "stealing".
"We should tell China that we don't want the drone they stole back - let them keep it!" he tweeted.
China's defence ministry later said that the vessel would be returned in an "appropriate manner", calling the US response "unhelpful".
Analysts believe this is likely to stoke US concerns about the growing military build-up by China in the South China Sea.
China has claimed territorial rights over parts of the region but its claims are disputed by several nations.