US says China talks now very productive

Talks between China and the US on the spy plane incident have turned "very productive", a senior US official said today.

Talks between China and the US on the spy plane incident have turned "very productive", a senior US official said today.

"We covered all the items on the agenda and I found today's session to be very productive," US negotiator Mr Peter Verga told reporters.

The first day of talks yesterday broke up after just two hours and US officials said there was no point continuing unless China agreed to discuss the return of the spy plane crippled in a mid-air collision with a Chinese fighter jet.

But US Ambassador Mr Joseph Prueher made a successful visit to the Chinese foreign ministry this morning to salvage the talks. He is said to have secured a promise a plan for the plane's return would be discussed.

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