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CNN Saturday Morning News

U.S. Plane Made for Chinese President Reportedly Riddled With Bugs

Aired January 19, 2002 - 08:02   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.
CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: Now to story that's creating some international intrigue. It involves a Boeing plane made for China's president that was reportedly riddled with bugs. Reports now in the "Washington Post" and the "Financial Times" say that China found more than 20 high tech listening devices hidden inside that plane.

And for the view from Beijing, let's go live to CNN Beijing bureau chief Jaime Florcruz -- Jaime.

JAIME FLORCRUZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Catherine, the Chinese president has always traveled using a charter plane in his travels inside China and overseas. So it was not surprising that he would want a presidential plane, something that is both safe and comfortable and befitting of a leader of a rising country like China.

However, to their surprise, if these reports are true, this new plane, this Boeing jet plane finally had been riddled with bugs.

Many Chinese analysts and officials that we talked with were surprised at these reports. None of them have heard about it. But as one analyst said, he is not totally surprised.

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GAO CHAN-QUN, ANALYST: I was surprised when I first heard of it but I don't think this is uncommon. Even the U.S. and its allies spy on each other. National interest is still the most important in bilateral relations.

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FLORCRUZ: This same analyst also sees a down side if this incident were true in the sense that it will only make the Chinese more hostile to the United States, reminiscent of the past incidents.

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CHAN-QUN: If true, it would be a very unfriendly gesture. It would be more of a last face for China than any substantive last. So it could make the Chinese people more hostile towards the U.S.

(END VIDEO CLIP) FLORCRUZ: Actually, the Sino-U.S. relations have been on the upswing since September 11. Washington has credited Beijing for its role in cooperation in the global fight against terrorism. In fact, Washington is hoping that the FBI could set up an office in Beijing soon.

A Chinese government official assures me that even if it were true, this incident is small enough not to disrupt the Chinese and U.S. relations. He says that China will remain focused on the major issues between the two countries when President Bush visits Beijing next month -- Catherine.

CALLAWAY: All right, thank you.

That is Jaime Florcruz. Thank you, Jaime.

We should also tell you that the U.S. has yet -- is yet to respond to the reports.

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