An underwater drone seized by the Chinese Navy from a United States Navy ship has been returned by the former to the latter on Tuesday.
The Chinese defense ministry said in a statement that the drone has been returned to the U.S. Navy after a series of "friendly negotiations." In their own statement, the U.S. also confirmed the transfer of the equipment, the Washington Post reported.
A Chinese Navy submarine rescue ship intercepted and took possession of the drone from the oceanographic research vessel USS Bowditch. The incident happened 50 miles off the coast of Subic Bay in the Philippines, where the latter ship was operating.
The U.S. said that it asked the crew of the Chinese vessel to return the drone, but the latter refused to comply. U.S. officials added that the drone was merely used to collect unclassified data on ocean water condition that might affect navigation.
Washington also sees the move as a provocation. Republican Senator and Senate Armed Services Committee chairman John McCain said that the move is a "flagrant violation" of international sea laws.
On the other hand, Yung Yujun, a Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman, said that its ship is merely preventing the device from harming its navigation.
Chinese experts also hinted on the possibility of the drone having been used for espionage.
Beijing-based naval expert Li Jie said that, while China had also seized underwater drones in the South China Sea in the past, the one confiscated in the incident appears to be a far more advanced model, the Global Times reported.
Li added that the U.S. raising the issue might have been a ploy to cover up the fact that it is spying in the region.
Prior to the return of the drone, incoming U.S. President Donald Trump made controversial remarks on Twitter when he lashed out against China for the incident. He later added that the Chinese should just keep the drone if they want to.