Japan urged the United States and China on Monday to resolve quickly a dispute over a mid-air collision between a US spy plane carrying 24 crew and a Chinese fighter, saying the Sino-US relationship was crucial to Asia.

"Good relations between the United States and China are important to peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region," top government spokesman Yasuo Fukuda told a news conference.

"Our government hopes that the safety of the crew will be ensured and the issue will be resolved smoothly and promptly," Fukuda told a news conference.

A US spy plane bumped into one of two Chinese Air Force fighters Sunday morning in China's southern airspace, causing it to crash, with the fate of of the pilot remaining unknown.

The Chinese side has made solemn representations and protested to the US side, and China reserves the right to further negotiate with the US side on compensation for losses resulting from the incident.

"We do not know any more than what already has been made public by the press, and there are some conflicting reports so we are seeking to gather more accurate information on this incident," Fukuda said.

"Whatever happens however, good Sino-US relations are indispensable for the security of the Asia-Pacific Region," he said.

The aircraft now stranded on Hainan took off from the huge Kadena Air Base on the southern Japanese island of Okinawa.

A spokesman at the air base confirmed that plane had taken off from Kadena, but refused to comment further, referring all queries to the Pacific Command.

(China Daily 04/02/2001)