Jiang keen to ensure U.S. relations not damaged

Easy does it: Despite being on a tour of South America, Jiang has held firm control on the process of negotiations

By Willy Wo-Lap Lam
CNN Senior China Analyst

(CNN) -- The decision to release the 24-member crew is a victory for Jiang Zemin's moderate line and should better place him to work out a new set of rules of bilateral conduct with counterpart George W. Bush.

A source familiar with the Chinese president's office said Jiang made the decision to handle the spy plane incident with flexibility and pragmatism before he left for a tour of South America last Wednesday.

TRANSCRIPTS Text of U.S. letter expressing 'sincere regret' Text of Bush's remarks    RESOURCES U.S.-China agreement: What's next? Overnight calls brought word of release deal    VIDEO Families of crew member show their emotions while talking about the news Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media) A Chinese government official reads a statement announcing the decision Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media) U.S. Ambassador to China Joseph Prueher praises the release Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media) Watch Bush's reaction to the announcement Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)    AUDIO CNN's Mike Chinoy discusses how the Chinese media is reporting U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell's comments 699K/64 sec. AIFF or WAV sound    IN-DEPTH U.S.-China Collision: A diplomatic solution  • About freighter returning EP-3  • Look: Inside the EP-3  • Facts about the EP-3  • Map: Locating the incident  • Big picture: High stakes  • Classroom discussion guide  • Historical US-China timeline  • Whidbey arrival images  • Crew speaks out  • Crew's return images    BIG PICTURE High stakes in standoff    ALSO Analysis: Behind the scenes in Beijing's corridors of power Chinese state media: Beijing continues to press U.S. Beijing calls for unity and stability over U.S. crew release Crew's families thrilled with news of release Debriefing awaits U.S. crew before reunions with families More related stories

"Jiang pointed out early on that the Bush team would treat Beijing more harshly than the Clinton administration," the source said.

"Jiang said negotiation with Washington over the spy plane incident would be a 'hard political struggle.'

Yet he said the important thing was that long-term economic and political relations with the superpower should not be damaged."

The source added that the Beijing leadership acted quickly to protect itself against accusations of being too soft and weak vis-à-vis the Americans.

'Too naive'

Immediately after the NATO bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade in 1999, Jiang and a number of civilian leaders including Vice Premier Qian Qichen and Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan were subject to strong internal criticism for being too "naive" about the U.S.

Hence the stern commentaries in the media and the insistence that Washington must be made to show sincere regrets and contrition over the incident.

Diplomatic analysts in Beijing said the Jiang team was able to claim credit for being able to force Bush and his aides to first express "regrets," then say "sorry" and then, ultimately, say "very sorry."

The analysts said the Jiang leadership would also adopt a tough posture in insisting that the U.S. stop or at least decrease airborne surveillance over the southeast Chinese coast.

Beijing would also take a hard line regarding the forthcoming negotiations over what to do with the EP-3 aircraft as well as the issue of compensation for the downed Chinese jetfighter and its pilot.

Rules of engagement

However, the analysts added the relatively quick way that this incident was resolved would better enable Jiang and Bush to work out a set of rules for future engagement.

A source familiar with Beijing's foreign-policy establishment said Jiang is eager to formulate a "post-Cold War" relationship of close cooperation with the U.S.

"Jiang thinks the bilateral code of engagement should reflect the equality between a superpower and a fast-emerging quasi-superpower," the source said.

"Jiang has emphasized Washington should not deploy Cold War-style tactics against China such as trying to put Japan and Taiwan under an Asian-based Missile Defense System."

Another tenet of the new relationship is both sides should focus on common areas such as trade and global flashpoints such as North Korea -- but play down the differences issues including human rights.

It is understood Beijing and Washington would beef up consultations in the near future.

In return for American help with China's access to the World Trade Organization, Beijing would vouch to provide unprecedented business opportunities for U.S. multinationals.

U.S. says China must move to break spy plane impasse
April 10, 2001
Chinese envoy urges Congress not to block Olympic bid
April 10, 2001
Standoff a study of semantics
April 10, 2001
China may be stripping plane
April 10, 2001
Chinese pilot's wife sends Bush emotional letter
April 6, 2001
Jiang unfazed during Latin America visit
April 6, 2001
China gains leverage in U.S. spy plane incident
April 5, 2001
Fighter pilots classed as '5'
April 5, 2001
Martyrdom for missing Chinese pilot
April 5, 2001

USCINCPAC Homepage
The Pentagon
U.S. Navy
Navy Fact File: EP-3E ORION (ARIES II) Aircraft
U.S. Department of Defense
Government of China (in Chinese)
U.S. Department of State
Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the U.S.A.
Government Information Office, Republic of China

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.