I didn't know that the Chinese Communist Party PR people were such comedians.  Subic Bay, Philippines, is a long, long way from China.  My guess would be that China wanted the software controlling these drones and saw the opportunity to grab it.  Trump is correct that there is no point to returning the drone.  It's dollar value is not worth the effort to recover it.  China should just keep it.  It just seems odd that China would risk their own economy by angering their best customer for their goods at the precise time when a new administration has stated they are going examine that trade relationship.  China's move in this regard seems clumsy and unsophisticated.  And their defense of their own actions is just funny.  I hope these aren't the same brains operating their economy, or the Chinese people might be wise to seek a new 5 year plan.