ATLANTIS (AP) – A US oceanographic vessel had its underwater drone stolen by a Chinese warship literally right in front of the eyes of the American crew, a US defense official told CNN.

The USNS Bowditch was sailing about 100 miles off the port at Subic Bay when a small boat from a Chinese warship came up alongside and took the drone.

America wishes its underwater drones looked this cool.

The US got no answer from the Chinese on the radio when the US told the Chinese that the drone was American property.

President Obama downplayed the incident, saying it was a “misunderstanding”.

“I heard,” said Obama, “that our Chinese friends were playing with their water-powered speeder-bike in the area, and just got a little confused. I mean, the drone didn’t really look like their toy, but when you’re in a watery place like the ocean, the sun can play tricks on your eyes and make you all confused about what is and isn’t your property.”

“So,” continued Obama, “in order to avoid any incidents that might upset our nuclear-armed, #1 trading-partner and debt-holder, why don’t we just call it a ‘winter holiday present’? Keep it, play with it, strap a nuke to it and float it towards Taiwan the next time they call Trump – whatever you want! It’s yours!”

Speaking at a press conference, China’s chief diplomat, Sum Tin Wong, gave a prepared statement: “Why you spy on us with drone? Why you talk to Taiwan? Our drone now!”

“Also,” added Wong, “we hack emails and leak to basement nerds, not Russia. Why you no give us credit?”

President-elect Trump refused to publicly comment on the situation, but did recently tweet “Chinese untrustworthy thieves who steal anything that’s not nailed down. On the other hand, they REALLY know how to build a wall.”