China reportedly seizes US naval underwater probe in South China Sea

China has seized an unmanned US naval underwater testing vehicle in the South China Sea, a US defense official told AFP on Friday.

"It was taken" by China, the official said, adding the craft was seized about 50 miles (80km) off Subic Bay.

The "naval glider" was used to test water salinity and temperatures to help in the mapping of underwater channels, the official said.