Updated

Singapore's Defense Ministry says a shipment of nine of its armored personnel carriers has been delayed by customs authorities in the Chinese territory of Hong Kong.

Singapore's Straits Times newspaper said Friday the eight-wheeled Terrex infantry carrier vehicles were being shipped back to Singapore from Kaohsiung in southern Taiwan.

The seizure comes as China has expressed displeasure over the Southeast Asian city-state's approach to South China Sea territorial disputes. Though not a claimant in those disputes, Singapore has irritated China by advocating that countries should abide by international rules.

The Defense Ministry notice says no ammunition was included in the shipment, which it said had been held under a "request for routine inspections" by Hong Kong customs.

It says Singaporean authorities expected that the shipment would be returned "expeditiously."