Officials: Chinese ships approach US vessel at sea

The Pentagon says Chinese ships came dangerously close to a U.S. surveillance ship in a possible repeat of an incident two months ago.

Defense officials said Tuesday that two Chinese vessels approached the submarine-hunting USNS Victorious Friday in the Yellow Sea.

The two defense officials spoke on condition of anonymity Tuesday because the incident has not been officially announced by the Pentagon. The officials said the Chinese vessels came to within 30 yards of the U.S. ship and the American crew sprayed water from their fire hoses to warn off the Chinese.

When similar incidents were reported in March, the Americans called it harassment. The Chinese said the Americans were operating illegally inside China's exclusive economic zone.