China returns seized undersea drone to U.S. Navy

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 (UPI) -- Four days after a Chinese ship snatched one of the U.S. Navy's undersea drones out of the water, the unmanned exploratory vehicle was returned to the United States amid continued sniping between the two countries.

The U.S. Navy Ocean Glider Unmanned Underwater Vehicle seized by China on Thursday was returned Tuesday morning. The USS Mustin received the UUV in international waters near where the drone was first picked up by a Chinese salvage ship.

"This incident was inconsistent with both international law and standards of professionalism for conduct between navies at sea," Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook said in a statement. "The U.S. has addressed those facts with the Chinese through the appropriate diplomatic and military channels, and have called on Chinese authorities to comply with their obligations under international law and to refrain from further efforts to impede lawful U.S. activities."

The vehicle was conducting a pre-programmed military oceanographic survey in the South China Sea and, as it was returning to the USNS Bowditch, was picked up by the salvage ship.

China said it seized the drone because it was unidentified and could pose a threat to safety. China also said the drone was in Chinese waters. The Pentagon, however, said the UUV was in international waters when it was grabbed while gathering unclassified data to help submarines navigate in murky water.

The South China Sea is hotly contested by the nations surrounding it, with China attempting to claim most of it. Even if China's claims were widely acknowledged, which they are not, the United States could still legally use drones for the type of exploration the Navy was conducting, according to experts.

U.S. and Chinese officials quickly worked out the UUV being returned, with the Chinese saying the exchange was set up with "friendly consultations," though officials at the Pentagon say they will continue investigating the situation.