A commentary carried in Nouvelles D'europe, the Paris-based Chinese language newspaper, denounced the US government for its hegemonist act in handling the incident of a US spy plane bumping into a Chinese fighter.

The commentary pointed out that planes' collisions are not rare in the aeronautic history but it is really very rare that the party held responsible acts so unreasonably.

It said that, as the party causing the collision incident, the US authorities, from the President, secretary of State, secretary of the Department of Defense to senior officers, did not say a single word about their responsibility and the safety of the missing Chinese pilot.

Furthermore, they demanded in increasingly stronger terms that China release the US plane as well the crew. They also refused to have its spy plane inspected by Chinese personnel.

The commentary noted: "This act of the US has infuriated the international community and aroused indignation of all just-upholding people. Even its many allies have remained silent and have not sided with the US."

It noted that what the US has done demonstrates its hegemonist: riding roughshod over others at will with its strength and threatening others with force, and acting as a "world police." This has aroused the repugnance and resistance from many countries including European nations.

"How to handle the incident through negotiation and continue to develop the good Sino-US relations? In fact, it depends on the US side and requires it to give up its practices of hegemonism, chauvinism and power politics, as well as its Cold War mentality, abide by international laws, and respect the will and dignity of the people of other countries."

"Otherwise, it would be impossible to resolve the current 'crisis'successfully," it added.

(People's Daily 04/06/2001)