China joins search for missing US sailor in S. China Sea

China is helping look for a missing US sailor in the South China Sea, the country's defense ministry confirmed on Thursday.

The Chinese guided-missile frigate Liuzhou, which was near the area on duty, is assisting the search operation after a sailor was reported missing from a US Navy destroyer about 100 nautical miles southwest of Huangyan Island on Tuesday.

Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer Sazanami and helicopter carrier Izumo are also involved in the search, according to the US Pacific Fleet.