Why China’s Seizure of a U.S. Naval Drone Is So Provocative: Q&A

Taiwan's Important Link Between the U.S. and China

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A Chinese naval vessel seized a U.S. underwater drone operating off the coast of the Philippines, sparking a protest from the Pentagon.

While confrontations between U.S. and Chinese military ships or planes occur on occasion, this is the first time China has seized an American underwater drone. The last major incident between the nations in the South China Sea happened in 2013, when a Chinese vessel nearly collided with the Cowpens, an American missile-carrying cruiser. Four years earlier, Chinese ships had harassed the U.S. Navy vessel Impeccable, leading to American protests.