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Signs emerge in China spy plane standoff is approaching end

Signs are emerging in China that suggest the long running spy plane stand-off might end in the next few days.

Tom O'Burne reports the Chinese people are preparing for two key events that may shape the government's handling of the issue.

For ten days hundreds of planes and ships have scoured the South China Sea without success for the missing pilot Wang Wei, whose jet collided with the American spy plane on April the first. Overnight the chief of China's Navy told Wang Wei's wife that the chances of finding her husband alive were diminishing, a sign say diplomats the search is about to end. That would coincide with the return to China this weekend of president Jiang Zemin, whose demand for a US apology suggests there'll be no deal without his approval. There are also reports that the US has sent a formal statement of regret, possibly even apologising for landing without permission on Chinese soil, a form of words that some officials say may be sufficient to end the crisis.

11/04/01 20:21:14 | ABC Radio Australia News

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