China seizes US Navy submarine equipment in the South China Sea.

(Baonghean.vn) - On December 16, Reuters quoted a US defense official as saying that the Chinese Navy had seized an unmanned scientific research submarine belonging to the US Navy in international waters of the South China Sea. Immediately after the incident, the US lodged a protest, demanding that Beijing return the submarine immediately.

According to U.S. officials, a Chinese Navy warship seized scientific data collection equipment from the U.S. oceanographic research vessel USNS Bowditch on December 15 in waters approximately 50 nautical miles northwest of Subic Bay.

China is continuously increasing its military presence in the South China Sea. Photo: AP

US authorities immediately sent an official diplomatic note demanding that China return the equipment. US officials asserted that "the UVV was conducting a legitimate military survey in international waters of the South China Sea."

The seized submersible was part of a public U.S. program to collect oceanographic data, including salinity, temperature, and water clarity. The device was operated by a privately held company.

US President-elect Donald Trump could clash with Beijing by raising the question of whether the US might abandon its long-standing "One China" stance. (Photo: AP)

This is the first incident of its kind between the US and China in recent years. Observers believe the incident could spark tensions between the two sides. The incident comes as US President-elect Donald Trump recently declared on his social media that he will take a tough stance against China's militarization of the South China Sea.

Neither the Pentagon nor Chinese officials have yet issued an official comment on the incident.

Lan Ha

(According to The Guardian)