A Chinese spy ship was spotted shadowing a naval war game conducted by the United States and its Indo-Pacific allies earlier this month near the strategic island of Guam.

Newsweek has reached out to the U.S. 7th Fleet for further comment via email. China 's Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to a written request for comment.

Why It Matters

Guam , the westernmost U.S. territory and home to bases of the Air Force, the Marine Corps and the Navy, is a key outpost for projecting American military power in the Western Pacific. The island forms part of the Second Island Chain under a U.S. strategy that aims to keep the Chinese navy, which has steadily expanded its presence, at bay.

The naval drills featured vessels and aircraft from the U.S., Australia, India and Japan, which

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