Washington, Dec 20: China  confirmed reports of having returned a US owned drone it had recently caught close to the waters of South China sea. Despite a loud protests nd formal complain been filed by the Pentagon in the matter, Chinese authorities took their own time in responding the US demand of their drone being returned. 

 "After friendly consultations between China and the US, the transfer of the underwater drone was smoothly completed," CNN cited a Chinese Defence Ministry statement as saying.
 
According to the Pentagon, the US would continue to investigate the events surrounding the incident. There are unconfirmed reports that before handing over the drone, China has cleaned out all the data from the drone as it suspects US of using such drones to form an underwater intelligence gathering network around China. 

China by capturing the drone sent out a strong message to the US that it will not take such drones lightly especially so close to their national boundaries. At a time when US China relations are getting strained every day over new issues, this one is being seen as a further provocation by American forces who are bracing themselves for a more aggressive China in the wake of a new world order coming into place.