[PEN-L:8280] China/US Confrontation Continues

["Henry C.K. Liu" <hliu@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

               China Stops Landing of U.S. Plane


               HONG KONG (AP) -- Chinese authorities have stopped a
               U.S. military airplane from landing in Hong Kong, the
latest display of anger following the bombing of the Chinese
               Embassy in Belgrade.

               The South China Morning Post reported today that the move
has thrown doubts over U.S. congressional delegations' plans
               to come to Hong Kong aboard U.S. Air Force jets this
               summer.

               The move also comes after China refused to let some U.S.
               warships dock in Hong Kong, a popular port.

               The U.S. consul general's office in Hong Kong confirmed
               today that several warships were banned and that one U.S.
               airplane was recently stopped from landing in Hong Kong on
a routine training mission.

               A consulate spokeswoman, who declined to be identified,
said she could not say whether any congressmen were hoping to
               come here this summer or whether their movements would
               be affected in any way.

               A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Zhang Qiyue, was
asked about the matter today in Beijing.

               ``Under the present circumstances, it is only natural that
               China does not allow the U.S. ships or planes to port or
land in Hong Kong,'' she said.

               The U.S. consul general in Hong Kong, Richard Boucher,
               told business leaders Wednesday that several warships had
               been denied permission to dock, but apparently on a
               case-by-case basis.

               ``These have been individual denials,'' Boucher said. ``We
               have no indication of a permanent ban. I would expect we
               will continue to apply for visits, and I am confident at
some
               point they will be approved.''