The administration has tried to separate the weapons package from the dispute over U.S. spy flights. China bitterly resents the Taiwan arms sales. Chinese officials had told the United States to expect straightforward negotiations, an approach the State Department had welcomed. But the Chinese also declined to say whether they would discuss return of the plane, which was filled with top-secret surveillance equipment. The plane is believed to remain at the Hainan island air base where it made its emergency landing.
Satellite photos indicate China is examining the aircraft's listening devices and other electronics.