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Should Washington apologize to China?
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ON April 1st, a US military surveillance plane, in violation of flying rules, made dangerous moves and consequently bumped into and damaged a Chinese military jet, which was flying normally over the South China Sea. The Chinese plane crashed and its pilot is still listed as missing.
The Chinese Government has issued a strong protest to the US Government and demanded an official apology. But the Bush administration has declined, claiming that the US surveillance plane had done nothing wrong.
With regards to the midair collision incident and Sino-US relations, three foreigners offer their opinions.
Karim Buksh Teacher in SZ University
Personally, I think that the US Government must make an apology to China, because the Chinese jet did nothing wrong, it was the American surveillance plane's fault the crash occurred.
Besides, it is quite absurd for the US to send its planes to spy on the coastal areas of China. Washington has no right to spy on another country so frequently and so regularly.
As for the US foreign policy, the former Clinton administration got on well with China in the fields of human rights, Taiwan and the WTO. But everything has changed since Bush came into office in January this year. Washington became much more arrogant and tougher towards China. Bush has made a series of mistakes in dealing with China, particularly on the human rights and Taiwan issues.
Regarding the human rights issue, the Bush administration should stop attacking China. The USA has no reason to complain about China. It should look at itself first.
Bush's rejection of the Kyoto pact for environmental protection betrays his irresponsibility and provocation to the efforts made by the international community. Because we live on the same planet, we should treasure it and do something beneficiary for our children.
Michael Park CEO of the MONEX Corporation
I go for the Chinese Government on this issue, Washington should apology without hesitation. The reason is quite simple: The US surveillance plane's perilous flying brought out the collision and damaged the Chinese jet that was flying normally. The US plane landing on Chinese territory without permission was an infringement on Chinese sovereignty.
Sending surveillance planes spying on China regularly, a serious provocation, serves the US global military purpose for "containing" China. It reflects the deep-rooted cold war nostalgia of the USA. Washington enjoys calling the shots and keeping its global leadership.
The Bush administration's tougher policy against China will be detrimental to US-China bilateral relations at this crucial period, for China is working hard in bidding for the 2008 Olympic Games and joining the WTO.
Ric Rodermund Teacher in a private school
Whether the US Government should make an apology depends on what exactly happened. That is to say, if the US surveillance plane's dangerous flight did indeed cause this accident, Washington should apologize.
As for the foreign policy of the Bush administration, I think it will be gradually undone.
I believe that US-China bilateral relations are to be improved, for Washington and Beijing ties tend to be closer because China needs American co-operation in bidding for the Olympic Games and joining the WTO.
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