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With crew's release, experts focus on U.S.-China relationshipEconomic ties come up against disputes over Taiwan, human rights
(CNN) -- A carefully worded letter did its job to secure the release of 24 U.S. servicemen, ending their 11-day detention in a Chinese military guesthouse on Hainan Island. But many issues between the United States and China need more than a few well-placed modifiers to resolve. The arrival of the U.S. spy plane's crew in Hawaii Wednesday may have marked a symbolic end to the crisis, but diplomats now must begin work to repair a relationship strained by recent events, according to international policy experts.
Some of these issues will be addressed at an April 18 meeting between Chinese and U.S. officials. Washington has called retrieving its plane and surveillance equipment its top priority, while Beijing has stressed the need to end American reconnaissance missions off its coast. "The crux of this dispute is not resolved, regardless of the release of the crew," said James Hsiung, a professor at New York University.
The disagreements -- including human rights and America's involvement with Taiwan -- are just one aspect of the countries' relationship. The countries are also linked economically, with normal trade relations granted to China by the U.S. Congress last summer. 'Spy planes' to be focus of April 18 meetingUpon announcing the release of the U.S. servicemen, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Chen Chi said, "This is not the conclusion of the case." Chen said Beijing wants to United States to end reconnaissance missions over international waters near China -- flights like the one taken by the American EP-3 spy plane on April 1. U.S. National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice said the United States is open to discussing how reconnaissance flights "might be done in a way that does not cause an incident of the kind that we've just had." But she emphasized China would have to play a role in assuring safety in international air space as well. "They are not going away," Rice said. "They are an important part of our national security strategy." Statements made by either Chinese officials or state media made no mention of the return of the damaged aircraft to the United States. Washington has insisted it be respected as "U.S. sovereign territory" and returned just as it landed. China rejected this claim, saying the plane had lost it sovereign status with the emergency landing. U.S. officials say there is evidence Chinese authorities may have been stripping the plane in an effort to acquire U.S. surveillance technology secrets. Issues extend beyond spy planeIn a letter on Tuesday, China's ambassador to the United States urged members of Congress not to oppose Beijing's bid to host the 2008 Olympics. China has pushed hard for the Olympics, which would be the first ever in the world's most populous country. A congressional resolution critical of Beijing's Olympic bid on human rights grounds was introduced in the House of Representatives on March 21, more than a week before the recent standoff began. The two countries' most serious disagreement revolves around U.S. support for Taiwan, which China considers a renegade province. Bush was set to decide on whether to approve arms sales to Taiwan this month, and several Congressmen said the latest incident proves Taiwan needs U.S. support. "This only fortifies those of us who think Taiwan has a just cause and a just reason to be fearful of adventuristic and aggressive activity from People's Republic of China," said Sen. George Allen, R-Virginia. Economics tying nations together
The World Trade Organization could decide later this spring or this summer to admit China into its ranks. Congress could revoke China's trade relations status or refuse to renew it if the WTO does not admit China by June, at which point Congress would have to grant China normal trade relations again. China has moved toward more of a market-driven economy over the last two decades, with WTO membership expected to speed these reforms. Allen says China, with a population of 1.3 billion people, is an important market for American businesses and farmers. "Obviously, we have an interest in being engaged with China," he said.
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