PLA 'drove off' US surveillance plane

Foreign Ministry spokesman says China will keep close watch and take action if necessary

Beijing released further details on Friday and voiced "strong dissatisfaction" about a close encounter on Wednesday involving a US spy plane above the South China Sea.

The incident involved a US navy P-8A surveillance plane that flew near islands and reefs, including the Yongshu Reef of China's Nansha Islands, on a reconnaissance mission, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said at a daily news conference.