Chinese President Jiang Zemin has on several occasions instructed the Chinese Navy and relevant departments to make their utmost efforts to search for and rescue the pilot who parachuted after his fighter was bumped into and damaged by a US military spy plane Sunday morning.

Jiang, also general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and chairman of the Central Military Commission, expressed great concern for the safety of the missing pilot.

The Chinese Navy has sent search and rescue vessels and planes to the waters to the southeast of Hainan Island, where the incident took place. The Guangzhou Marine Salvation Bureau also sent salvation ships immediately to the site of the incident.

Till 16:00 Monday Beijing time, the military and local authorities have sent 11 ships and more than 20 planes to the site, combing the waters for the missing pilot round the clock.

However, the pilot is still missing. Searching efforts are continuing.

(Xinhua 04/03/2001)