Previously, the U.S. diplomats were required to attend a meeting at the offices of the Hainan provincial government to discuss ground rules for the visits. The process has been frustrating. The diplomats are unclear why, but all four meetings have occurred at night. They have come to expect a late-night phone call in their hotel rooms. A Chinese functionary tells them to be ready in 15 minutes.
Nothing happens for an hour.
Negotiations over ground rules take place in a conference room lined with gifts from various visiting delegations to Hainan, including one from California. Five Chinese officials usually attend, led by Fan Zhenshui, deputy director general of the Foreign Ministry's consular department. The meetings usually include some posturing, with Chinese officials charging that the U.S. plane entered Chinese airspace illegally, for example. But it appears the Chinese officials at the table lack full decision-making power. They often ask for breaks, apparently to call higher-ups for guidance.