China has accused the US of “hyping-up” an incident in which its navy seized a US underwater drone in international waters in the South China Sea.

The Pentagon said the drone was being used to carry out scientific research and must be returned – and warned China that this must not happen again.

It later said it had “secured an understanding” with the Chinese on the return of the vessel.

US President-elect Donald Trump accused the Chinese of “stealing”.

The incident is among the most serious military confrontations between the two powers for decades.

On Saturday, China’s Chinese defence ministry criticised the US, saying it had overreacted to the incident.