The U.S. delegation returned to its hotel without the crew members. We would like to see the prompt, safe return of all 24 crew. Chinese authorities also asserted a right to inspect the sophisticated reconnaissance aircraft, demanded an apology and called on the United States to end surveillance flights off their coast. Pentagon officials told CNN that the Chinese have removed some sensitive equipment from the plane, an indication, they believe, that China has no intention of surrendering the plane anytime soon. He stressed that one of the Chinese F-8 fighter jets had crashed into the South China Sea and that its pilot is missing.
China is the victim.
The damaged aircraft is Chinese. The missing pilot is Chinese. It was the U.S. plane which entered Chinese air space in violation of relevant regulations and landed on Chinese territory without permission. Despite the strong words from China, the Bush administration has no plans to apologize to China for the collision, a U.S. official said. U.S. Ambassador to China Joseph Prueher said he believes Chinese officials have boarded the plane, as one Chinese source told CNN on Monday.