Chinese fishing boats followed U.S. ship

WASHINGTON, May 5 (UPI) -- Two Chinese fishing boats harassed an unarmed U.S. military surveillance ship in international waters in the Yellow Sea, military officials said Tuesday.

CNN, citing two unnamed military officials, reported the incident occurred last week. The boats repeatedly approached the U.S. Victorious, once coming within 120 feet, and forced the vessel to make a sudden stop by halting in front of it in a heavy fog, the officials said.

The Victorious, operated by a civilian crew working for Military Sealift Command, performs undersea listening.

The incident was reportedly the fifth confrontation in the past few months involving the Victorious or the USNS Impeccable, another surveillance vessel, and Chinese fishing boats or military aircraft. Officials said that both vessels were in international waters that China claims as an economic zone.

The Victorious turned on its fire hoses but never sprayed the fishing boats directly, officials said.