With the approval of the Chinese side, US diplomats in China met with crew members of the US spy plane Friday for the second time in Haikou, capital of south China's island province of Hainan.
Neal Sealock, the US Embassy military attache, met with the press after the meeting.
According to Sealock, the US diplomats met with the 24 crew members, who, he said, are all in good health and spirit. He also expressed gratitude for the Chinese side.
A leading official of the Hainan Provincial Foreign Affairs Office briefed reporters on the meeting. He said the US side is clear about China's position and demand over this issue, that is it should be held responsible for the collision incident and make an apology to the Chinese side.
He said that China gave permission to the meeting out of consideration of humanitarianism and relevant bilateral agreements. The US side has for several times expressed their thanks to the Chinese side for the arrangement.
(Xinhua 04/07/2001)
