Clive Cussler's The Devil's Sea

Tibet, 1959. In the turmoil of the Communist takeover of the mountain kingdom, a Buddhist artefact of immense importance appears to have been lost to history. Until, 60 years later, clues to its survival emerged from the wreckage of a cargo plane discovered deep beneath the surface of the Philippine Sea... NUMA Director Dirk Pitt and his old friend Al Giordino already have their hands full dealing with the recovery of a top secret hypersonic missile that went down in the Luzon Strait. Especially when it becomes clear that a rogue Chinese military team has its sights set on the same prize. And that, after making their own earth-shattering discovery about what lies below the waves, they're prepared to go to any lengths to ensure that they possess it. Any lengths at all.