U.S. officials say none of the four have committed wrongdoing. The detentions come amid a complicated and contentious environment between the United States and China. Chinese officials also are warning Washington against selling advanced defensive arms to Taiwan. President Bush is expected to announce a sale to Taiwan next week. Administration officials say Bush is likely to postpone the sale of destroyers equipped with the high-tech Aegis radar system to Taiwan.
China adamantly opposes that sale.
Taiwan has requested the system to counter approximately 300 Chinese missiles that can reach Taipei. Bush is expected to sell Taiwan a set of older Kidd-class destroyers and possibly submarines. Copyright 2001 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.