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CNN Live Saturday

Listening Devices Found Onboard Chinese President's Plane

Aired January 19, 2002 - 18:07   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
JEANNE MESERVE, CNN ANCHOR: The White House is still not confirming or denying reports a U.S.-made jet delivered to China for presidential use was bugged. "The Washington Post" and "The Financial Times" report Chinese authorities found listening devices aboard the plane that was to be used by President Jiang Zemin. Here's CNN's Beijing bureau chief Jaime Florcruz.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JAIME FLORCRUZ, CNN BEIJING BUREAU CHIEF (voice-over): For long trips at home and overseas, Chinese President Jiang Zemin has traveled on chartered planes, a practical arrangement, which does not quite befit the leader of a rising global power. Through Chinese companies, Beijing bought a special Boeing 767 over a year ago. They envisioned a presidential plane outfitted with a bedroom and bathroom, and advanced communications and avionics equipment -- a Chinese version of Air Force One that is comfortable, safe, and secure.

But when the custom-built Boeing jetliner was delivered last fall, the Chinese found more than 20 listening devices planted in the plane, according to "The Washington Post" and "The Financial Times." Some Chinese are incredulous, but others are not shocked.

GAO CHAOQUN, ANALYST (through translator): I was surprised when I first heard of it, but I don't think this is uncommon -- even U.S. and its allies to spy on each other. National interests is still the most important in bilateral relations.

FLORCRUZ: Analysts say the incident, if true, merely shows America's ill intentions towards China, reminiscent of the bombing of the Chinese embassy in 1999 and the spy plane incident last year.

GAO (through translator): If true, it would be a very unfriendly gesture. It would be more of a loss of face for China than any substantive loss. So it could make the Chinese people more hostile toward the U.S.

FLORCRUZ (on camera): In fact, U.S.-China relations have been on the upswing since September 11. Washington credits Beijing for its role in the global war against terrorism. Even if the bugging attempt were true, analysts here think it will not greatly disrupt U.S.-China relations. As one Beijing official puts it, "China will remain focused on the major issues" when President Bush visits Beijing next month. Jaime Florcruz, CNN, Beijing.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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