As the crisis unfolded, U.S. officials and politicians downplayed the importance of the aircraft's electronic secrets for fear of jeopardizing delicate repatriation negotiations. With the crew back on U.S. soil, however, the focus is now on how the EP-3E's effective capture might damage U.S. intelligence capabilities. But we've only accomplished half our goal. China still has our plane, and holding it is an illegal act.
Reports differ on the fate of the aircraft.
Early reports indicate that Chinese officials quickly forced the crew off the aircraft after its emergency landing, and technicians swarmed the interior. What is virtually certain is that the Chinese military is not wasting the opportunity to inspect the aircraft. If that is correct, the EP-3E could not have landed at a worse spot. The U.S. government says that the EP-3E is sovereign U.S. territory, just as a U.S. Embassy is sovereign on international soil. Beijing says that since the aircraft landed without permission, it is Chinese property.