Chinese official government spokesman comments in English on crew release

Описание: (11 Apr 2001)
1. Chen Ci entering press conference
2. Wide shot of news conference
3. SOUNDBITE: (English) Chen Ci, Director of Foreign Affairs for Hainan Island
"Both President Bush and Secretary of State Powell have expressed their sincere regret over China's missing pilot and aircraft. He said on behalf of the US government, that they were very sorry to the Chinese people and the family of the pilot Wong Wei, and they were very sorry for the US plane entering China's airspace and landing without a verbal clearance."
4. Cutaway of media
5. SOUNDBITE: (English) Chen Ci, Director of Foreign Affairs for Hainan Island
"As the US government has already (it is) very sorry to the Chinese people the Chinese government has, out of humanitarian considerations, decided to allow the crew members to leave China after completing the necessary procedures."
6. Cutaway of media
7. SOUNDBITE: (English) Chen Ci, Director of Foreign Affairs for Hainan Island
"But this is not the conclusion of the case involving the US military plane ramming into a Chinese aircraft, causing the disappearance of a Chinese pilot, entering Chinese airspace and landing at a Chinese airfield without permission. The two sides will continue with negotiations on the matter and other related issues."
8. Cutaway of media
9. SOUNDBITE: (English) Chen Ci, Director of Foreign Affairs for Hainan Island
"It must not make an erroneous judgement and further damage the bilateral relations. China's sovereign independence, territorial integrity and national dignity broke (caused) no infringement. It is China's consistent position that state to state relations, including China US relations must be based on such basic norms governing international relations as mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity."
10. Chen Ci leaving press conference

STORYLINE:

Despite announcing they will release the crew of a U-S spy plane, the Chinese authorities have warned the issue is far from over.

Director of Foreign Affairs for Hainan Island, Chen Ci, told the media on Wednesday that after completing "formalities" the 24 U-S crew members could return home, but that "this is not the conclusion of the case".

He said negotiations will continue on this and "other related issues".

The Chinese authorities announced they would release the servicemen and women after receiving a letter from the U-S government saying it was sorry for the crash of the U-S surveillance plane and for the death of a Chinese pilot whose fighter collided with it.

Ci said China decided to allow the crew members to leave out of humanitarian considerations, but did not say when they would be released.

The crippled U-S Navy E-P-3-E made an emergency landing on Hainan in the South China Sea following the mid-air collision.

The body of pilot of the Chinese F-8 fighter has not yet been recovered.

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