Japan on Wednesday urged China and the United States to settle a spy plane incident "quickly and smoothly," saying good Sino-US relations were vital for peace and stability in Asia.

"It is extremely important that China and the United States maintain good relations," Foreign Minister Yohei Kono was quoted in a foreign ministry statement as telling US Secretary of State Colin Powell.

Kono called Powell earlier in the day and talked for 20 minutes, the statement said.

"Japan strongly hopes that China secures the safety of the (US) crew and the two sides resolve this incident quickly and smoothly," Kono said.

Powell told Kono that Washington had confirmed the crew were safe and well, adding the US greatly regretted the incident, according to the statement.

The United States, Powell said, had asked China to hand over both the crew and the aircraft, it said.

On Monday, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda said good Sino-US relations were important to secure peace and stability in Asia.

"Good relations between the United States and China are extremely important for the peace and stability of the Asia-Pacific region," Fukuda said.

(Agencies 04/04/2001)