China blames the U.S. plane, saying it suddenly rammed the Chinese jet. It is demanding an end to American surveillance flights off its coast, which it says threaten its sovereignty. China has also accused the United States of duplicity in taking a harder line since winning the release of the plane's 24 crew members. While American and Chinese negotiators met in Beijing, U.S. officials in Washington were weighing what weapons to sell Taiwan, which China considers a breakaway province that must be reunited with the mainland. The administration has tried to separate the weapons package from the dispute over U.S. spy flights.
China bitterly resents the Taiwan arms sales.
Chinese officials had told the United States to expect straightforward negotiations, an approach the State Department had welcomed. But the Chinese also declined to say whether they would discuss return of the plane, which was filled with top-secret surveillance equipment. The plane is believed to remain at the Hainan island air base where it made its emergency landing. Satellite photos indicate China is examining the aircraft's listening devices and other electronics.