U.S. needs to put an immediate end to close-in reconnaissance: FM spokesperson

(ECNS) -- "The U.S. is the number one country in surveillance and reconnaissance. It has long-running intelligence programs across the globe," said Mao Ning, the spokesperson for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at a press conference on Thursday.

Mao made the remarks in response to a report that Namibia recently found in its waters a U.S. sail drone used to gather data under water.

"Despite the U.S. claim that it is a private drone contracted for marine research purposes, Namibian media generally believe it is an American spy drone. According to the latest data released by the South China Sea Strategic Situation Probing Initiative, a think tank, in January this year, 64 sorties of U.S. military land-based reconnaissance aircraft were spotted over the South China Sea. What’s your comment?" asked a reporter. 

"U.S. aircraft and warships frequently conduct close-in reconnaissance around China, which seriously threatens China’s national security and undermines regional peace and stability. The Chinese side has repeatedly voiced our grave concerns. The U.S. needs to put an immediate end to such provocations," Mao said.