Chinese People's Liberation Army navy fleet boarded a "merchant vessel" to check for contraband on Saturday (local time) during the Rim of the Pacific naval exercises off the Hawaiian Islands.

After receiving tips that a merchant ship - actually, a US naval cruiser - was carrying contraband, China's missile destroyer Haikou hailed the ship, moved closer, and sent two boats carrying seven marines at about 8:30 am Saturday local time.

The marines boarded the merchant ship, seized control of the pilothouse, and checked the cargo in the cabin.