If you haven't been up on the news lately, relations between the U.S. and China have become very tense. On March 31, a U.S. Navy EP-3 Aries II surveillance aircraft collided with a Chinese fighter craft. The U.S. aircraft had to make an emergency landing on Chinese soil at Lingshui, which is on the southern tip of Hainan Island. The Chinese fighter was lost in the South China Sea.

The Chinese government is currently in possesion of the plane and the 24 crew members who were aboard. Chinese President Jiang Zemin is demanding an apology from the U.S. but the U.S. claims that the Chinese government had no right to board the U.S. aircraft. The U.S. aircraft was carring very sensitive electronic equipment that the Chinese reportedly handled too aggressively.

According to the Pentagon, Chinese troops have boarded the U.S. aircraft and removed gear. Sources also say that the crew of the aircraft destroyed the most sensitive equipment on board before they landed at Lingshui.

President Bush and U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell have expressed sympathy for the missing Chinese pilot, Wang Wei. The Chinese have called this "a step in the right direction." Bush is demanding a "prompt and safe" return of the crew and that the aircraft be returned without "further damage or tampering." The Chinese intend on keeping the crew of the Aries II in China until authorities investigate the incident.

Name: Jeff
Comments:
Personally, I think Georgie Porgie should drop the pride and apologize. SO WHAT if it isn't our fault. It will get them home. I just knew this man was going to be a complete embecile. "Diplomacy takes a long time, sometimes," he said on the news last night. Sheesh. When are we going to realize that people are more important than ideas, and much more important than procedure?

Comments:
Where to begin.... This author needs to realize that the header that is displayed on the main page of "LIFE" mentions nothing of the 24 sailors illegally held in Vhina. She puts more interest into the one reckless chinese pilot killed. I guess you are targeting the people who say"if it bleeds it leads." Personally, I find that 24 Americans held in captivity, in a country that is known for its torture techniques, is more important. I suppose that your ignorance is not your fault but perhaps next time you will choose to write an article that you have more facts on... and choose a style that will prevent people from thinking that you are anti-american. Please read William Safires April 5 article, "The politics of Apology" in the New York Times....