[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Page 5300]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



       THE CRISIS IN CHINESE-AMERICAN RELATIONS ON HAINAN ISLAND

  Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, the only way to resolve the current crisis 
in American-Chinese relations is the prompt and safe return of the 24 
American airmen now being detained by the Chinese military on Hainan 
Island and by the swift return of the U.S. Navy's plane. Only after 
their return can we begin to discuss other issues with China over this 
and other incidents affecting our relations.
  I am deeply disturbed by the delay in allowing American embassy 
personnel to meet with our service personnel, and I am concerned about 
press reports that they are being detained in separate areas. I 
understand our bilateral consular agreement requires the Chinese to 
provide full access to American citizens within four days but nothing 
precludes them from giving such access sooner. Indeed our consular 
agreement with China requires consular access to all American citizens 
within 48 hours of receipt of official notification of their detention. 
As Chinese officials issued statements concerning their detention on 
April 1, China may already be in violation of its consular agreement 
with us. The fact that American consular officials are already present 
on Hainan Island and the extraordinary circumstances surrounding our 
plane's emergency landing on Hainan provide the Chinese authorities 
with an opportunity to demonstrate their good will.
  Press reports that Chinese personnel have entered our plane and 
removed equipment are also deeply disturbing. Under international law, 
the plane enjoys sovereign immune status as the incident took place in 
international air space and the plane should not have been entered or 
tampered with. There is no doubt about the location of the incident as 
even the Chinese Foreign Ministry press spokesman, Mr. Zhu Bang Zao, 
acknowledged that it took place 104 kilometers, or 65 miles, at sea.
  This incident is the most recent in a series of serious episodes in 
American-Chinese relations since the establishment of diplomatic 
relations between our two countries. When the Chinese embassy was 
mistakenly bombed in Belgrade, we moved quickly to assume 
responsibility and to make appropriate amends. I hope that the Chinese 
are now willing to take similar steps to defuse the situation and 
restore the trust necessary between two great nations. It behooves both 
countries to exercise restraint and respect for each other. The first 
step towards resolution is for China to release our detained personnel 
and equipment. Perhaps they do not realize how profoundly affected 
Americans are by the perception that their fellow citizens are being 
mistreated or misused as tools of political propaganda. The seizure of 
the U.S.S. Pueblo by North Korea and the takeover of the American 
Embassy in Iran, as examples, remain sores in the American psyche. We 
deeply resent the mistreatment of Americans for simply being Americans 
doing their duty under the protection of international law and 
agreements. We can also understand China's concern over the loss of its 
pilot and plane. We regret their loss but prolonging this crisis can 
benefit neither country nor lead to a reconciliation between us.
  A first step needs to be taken. I hope the leaders of our two 
countries do so soon by opening a direct dialogue. May God bless our 
servicemen and women who are now suffering this time of trial. Our 
thoughts and prayers are with them constantly.

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