Zhang also showed a short video clip of what she said was the interception last year by three Chinese fighters of a U.S. fighter over waters near China's coast. It was taken by a Chinese fighter pilot and showed a U.S. aviator in an F-14 Tomcat taking photographs of a second Chinese fighter in what Zhang said was evidence the U.S. plane made dangerous moves. She said the evidence was shown to a U.S. negotiating team during five hours of talks on Wednesday and Thursday at which Beijing repeated its demand that Washington stop surveillance flights near its coastal waters. The Bush administration has called the collision an accident. It insists the American pilot did not break the law because the plane was flying in international airspace.
China blames the U.S. plane, saying it suddenly rammed the Chinese jet.
The U.S. plane is believed to be at the Hainan Island air base where it made its emergency landing. Satellite photos indicate China is examining the aircraft's top secret surveillance equipment. Talks resumed Thursday only after U.S. Ambassador Joseph Prueher won a promise from Chinese officials to discuss the return of the American plane. Reuters Chief U.S. negotiator Peter Verga Deputy Undersecretary of Defense Peter F. Verga, leader of the eight-member U.S. team, sounded a positive note after the meeting ended. The U.S. Embassy would not say what Prueher told Chinese officials.