The United States should clarify a recent incident involving a U.S. nuclear submarine that collided with an unknown object in the South China Sea, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said on Tuesday. 

Responding to a question about the incident at a regular press briefing, Zhao urged Washington to explain the intention of the U.S. navigation, details of the incident, what the submarine collided with, whether there was a leak and whether it damaged the local marine environment. 

According to U.S. media reports earlier this month, a U.S. nuclear-powered submarine, the USS Connecticut, collided with an unknown object in international waters in the South China Sea on October 2, causing many injuries. A satellite picture released by The Drive website's The War Zone column last Friday showed the submarine tied up to the pier in Guam. 

Zhao stressed that the U.S. should show a responsible attitude and make a detailed explanation of the incident as soon as possible to address concerns of countries in the region and the international community. 

"The South China Sea is the shared home for the countries in the region," he said, warning the U.S. against transforming it into a "hunting ground" for its geopolitical self-interest. 

The U.S. has been stirring up trouble and creating tension in the South China Sea in the name of freedom of navigation for a long time, the spokesperson said, urging the country to stop its wrong behavior and play a positive role in maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea. 

(Cover: File photo of the USS Connecticut nuclear submarine. /CFP)