China has returned a US underwater drone taken by a Chinese naval vessel in the South China Sea last week. In a brief statement, China's Defence Ministry said, the drone had been given back to the United States after friendly consultations between the two countries.<br/><br/>It said, the drone was handed over close to the location it was seized, some 92km north-west of Subic Bay. <br/><br/>Chinese state media said the use of the drone was likely part of U.S. surveillance efforts in the South China Sea. <br/><br/>The seizure had triggered a diplomatic protest and added to U.S. concerns about China's growing military presence and aggressive posture in the disputed waterway.

China has returned a US underwater drone taken by a Chinese naval vessel in the South China Sea last week. In a brief statement, China's Defence Ministry said, the drone had been given back to the United States after friendly consultations between the two countries.<br/><br/>It said, the drone was handed over close to the location it was seized, some 92km north-west of Subic Bay. Chinese state media said the use of the drone was likely part of U.S. surveillance efforts in the South China Sea. <br/><br/>The seizure had triggered a diplomatic protest and added to U.S. concerns about China's growing military presence and aggressive posture in the disputed waterway.