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US, China in deal to release detained spyplane crew
The United States and China say they have reached agreement on the release of the crew of the American spy plane detained on the southern Chinese island of Hainan for the past 11 days.
China's Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan has been quoted as saying the 24 crew would be released on humanitarian grounds after what were termed the necessary formalities.
The crew of the US EP-3 surveillance plane has been held in Chinese custody since the aircraft made an emergency landing on Hainan after being involved in a collision with a Chinese fighter.
The foreign minister did not specify what "necessary formalities" needed to be completed before the crew could return home, nor did he give any timeframe.
But he said the investigation into the collision was not over and that China and the United States must continue negotiations over the incident.
China's state run media also says the United States has sent a letter to the Chinese government saying it is "very sorry" over the loss of the Chinese pilot involved and for the US plane's unauthorised landing in Hainan.
11/04/01 21:17:25 | ABC Radio Australia News
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