Having seen a bit of the world I would hate to see our

current problem get out of control. Americans tend to ignore

anything outside their borders. I don't agree with what the

Chinese governent has done with the crew, but it is important

to recongnize the Chinese peoples feelings.

Americans should be gracious not arrogant. These folks can be

our friends if we treat them as equals

I think many people in New Zealand feel the US is in the wrong.

David Evans

New Zealand

I'd also like to add that there are many of us in the west that agree with the Chinese over the spyplane issue. The chinese people have every right to expect an apology from the Americans, and the Americans have been very rude and arogant towards the Chinese people. I personally have great respect and admiration for China. I do not understand why the americans have to be so rude and agressive.

Anyway, I shall continue to read your excellent site.

Many thanks!

Michael Faver

It is my firm belief that had China been a militarily weak nation, the US warmongers would have marched on Beijing by now, but instead, are forced to engage in diplomacy to resolve the crisis. In the interest of justice and peace, China needs to remain firm on its position that a full apology from the US side must be made along with other conditions in order to bring the crisis to an end.

" Death to Imperialism "

Brahanu wa

Afrika

I have been following the news of the Chinese Jet and Spy Plane situation recently and I feel compelled to write this letter. I am not of Asian decent, but I have always been interested in Asian (especially Chinese) culture and am therefore deeply troubled by the tensions this incident has caused. I don't really want to get into the political implications of the situation. I think that subject had been explored to death by people far more qualified than myself. Rather, I would like to focus on the social and cultural aspects of the issue as felt by ordinary people in both countries who are observing these events unfold.

As a U.S. citizen, I have a special appreciation and respect for the ideals and principles this country was founded on. What reasonable human being wouldn't cherish the noble concepts of equality and freedom? It's not my place to judge how effectively those concepts are being implemented in our society, but it is that very freedom, in fact, that allows me to openly express my opinion in this matter.

There has been a disturbing trend in the last few decades for the United States, or at least certain factions of it, to not take proper responsibility for it's actions. Apology seems to be seen by some as a form of weakness. This trend has caused the United States, as a whole, to "stink" in the international community. This is most unfortunate, because it undermines so much of the good and positive things that are otherwise accomplished. It often gives people in other countries the impression that the United States, and Americans in general, are arrogant, selfish people. Such a trend also undermines our society by setting a poor example for the citizens.

In reviewing the information on the Jet/Spy Plane incident (from both U.S. and Chinese sources) it seems obvious that there is sufficient evidence that the U.S. Plane was, at the very least, partially responsible. That alone deserves an acknowledgement and apology from the U.S. pilot, the U.S. military, and certainly the U.S. President. It's just the right thing to do. The real concern here is that a U.S. Military plane was involved in the disappearance, and possible death, of a Chinese pilot, for which (in my opinion) the U.S. should formally apologize and aid in the search in any way they can. Afterward, the two nations should get together and make positive efforts to see that a similar incident not occur in the future.

There is some debate over whether the U.S. Plane was actually a spy plane or not. One broadcast here in the U.S. said that it was not a "spy" plane but a "reconnaissance" plane. This arguement doesn't sound reasonable. What was a "reconnaissance" plane, filled with what news sources call "high-tech spy gear", doing so close to China, if not spying? Even so, it's important to note that the concerns of the Chinese people are appropriately focused on their missing pilot. The U.S. news sources here have given him and his family only brief mentions.

As a child, I was taught to apologize whenever I did something that someone else perceived as wrong. Even if I honestly felt that I was not in the wrong, such an action showed that I considered the other person's feelings to be more important than my own pride and ego. It was the polite and mature response and it allowed me and the other person to productively continue our relationship. Perhaps I am being simplistic, but it seems that the United States (both government and commercial leaders) could only benefit by adopting this kind of caring and "grown-up" attitude.

News reports say that President Bush expressed regret, but avoided the word "apology". In the face of such insincere and immature word games, I can certainly understand the anger that China has voiced. The differences of politics aside, Chinese society is thousands of years old and has with-stood many natural and man-made changes. U.S. society on the other hand is only a little over two hundred years old. I hope that the Chinese people will take this into consideration.

Ultimately, the national leaders will do whatever they like. This situation, like so many others, will either be resolved properly or it won't. As citizens, we will either be happy with the outcome or we won't. But, whatever happens, whatever the outcome, I wish to convey to the Chinese people that there are caring Americans here who watch these events unfold with similar feelings of sorrow and frustration. Please don't think bad of us all because of the ill manners of some.

Sincerely,

Nathan D. Littlefield

xingwu@earthlink.net

US and china are two biggest country in the world according to the different systems.the relationship of them will affect the development of the whole world .

Since US made such a big mistake ,it must be answered for it .WE NEED PEACE ,AND I AM SURE ALL AMERICANS ALSO HOPE SO .If US can`t apologize ,CHINA WILL BE ANGRY AND DO NOT GIVE UP.Thus it will have no interests in two countries and the world .

WE CHINESE must insist .WE can`t forgive US cruel action to OUR MOTHERLAND AGAIN AND AGAIN.

Fair enough, everyone is spying on everyone, but this time, US plane got caught, and caused death of one FINEST Chinese pilot.(every US media only cercerned about their 24 finest young crew's life) If US spy plane did not come here at first place, this whole thing would not happen anyway!! As far as I concern, US should be back down, and apologize and pay for the lose of life.

Those who think big uncle sam can do whatever they want are just small minded loser!!!

I would love to argue with anyone who have a different view, please e-mail me back!!

With regard to the specific collision incident, it is typical US thinking that the well-being of Americans is more important than the life and death of others. Such attitude contradicts the US claim of concern about universal human rights.

The US refusal to apologize is evidently based on the belief that the powerful can do what it want, while the weak must suffer what it cannot resist.

This is the new real hard cold fact of Americanization.

First of all, the loss of life was tragic and unnecessary. One berieves with the mambers of the lost pilot's family and his colleagues.

Second, one extolls the decision of the governments of China and of the United States to exercise caution in handling this most unfortunate and uncalled for incident.

Third, it is now quite evident as to what happened and where the fault lies. However, in the week that has passed, a secret joint enquiry by military and diplomatic personnel of both could have been completed to establish the facts for the satisfaction of both countries.

Fourth, for finding a solution to the stand-off that appears to be looming on the horizon, one hopes that covert diplomacy can still be used as a means to provide China with the desired satisfaction while overt diplomacy states the position of both sides for public consumption.

Fifth, some sort of protocol is worked out between the governments and military of both the countries to avoid repetetion of similar incidents in the future.

With my sincere best regards for the people and the government of the People's Republic of China.

A friend,

ifq11