Tom Clancy, Call Your Office...

Tell me this doesn't sound like the start of a Tom Clancy novel to you...[Source]

A Chinese navy submarine has been damaged during exercises in the South China Sea, Beijing said Tuesday, but officials refused to say whether there were any casualties.

Japanese press reports said the sub stalled after a fire broke out aboard the vessel while it was submerged.

It was being towed Monday above the water by a Chinese vessel toward the Yulin Naval Port on China's Hainan Island, the Yomiuri Shimbun said, citing Japanese and US defense sources.

"The incident happened while the Chinese navy was organizing submarine emergency exercises," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan, refusing to give more details or confirm that a fire broke out.

The Defense Ministry declined comment.

The only thing missing is Fred Thompson saying something to the effect that the Chinese don't take a dump without a plan...or something...