BBC - Wednesday, 18 April, 2001, 16:11 GMT 17:11 UK
US threat to spy plane talks
Chinese citizens protest against US "arrogance"
The United States is threatening to scupper further talks with China over the spy plane crisis after a fruitless first session of discussions.
US officials said there was no progress in the two-and-a-half hours of negotiations in Beijing, which the American side wanted to focus on the return of its plane which made a forced landing on Chinese territory on 1 April.
The holding of talks was part of the agreement under which the American crew were released by China after a diplomatic row that lasted 11 days.
"It wasn't unexpected the way it rolled out: They gave their position on the accident, we gave ours. Those views differ considerably," a senior State Department official said.
"It was a tough meeting," he added.
Officials said the American ambassador in Beijing would tell the Chinese Government it must respond to US demands for the return of its EP-3 aircraft if a second session is to be held.
China has given no indication that it is willing to return the plane, which is filled with top-secret surveillance equipment, and has made it clear it intends to push the US to end reconnaissance flights along the Chinese coast.
The plane is being held on Hainan Island following the collision over the South China Sea.
For its part, Washington is now openly blaming the Chinese pilot, who is thought to have died in the incident, for causing the collision.
Investigation
China says it will not return the plane until an investigation into the incident has been completed.
Beijing has also made it clear it wants an end
to the American reconnaissance flights, which
have been suspended since the incident. But
US officials said flights could resume as early
as Thursday.
-- Anonymous, April 18, 2001