Bush calls for plane crew's immediate release

George W Bush has urged China to immediately release the US crew members of a damaged navy spy plane.

The US president suggested further delay could undermine relations between the two countries.

Mr Bush said he wanted to give China time to respond to the situation, to help prevent the stalemate from escalating into a full-fledged crisis.

"It is time for our servicemen and women to return home. It is time for the Chinese government to return our plane," Mr Bush said at the White House.

He said he had talked to army Brigadier General Neal Sealock, the US Embassy defence attache in Beijing, who participated in a meeting earlier in the day with the 24 crew members - 21 men and three women - on Hainan island.

"The general tells me they are in good health, they suffered no injuries and they have not been mistreated. I know this is a relief to their loved ones," Mr Bush said.

"The crew members expressed their faith in America, and we have faith in them. They're looking forward to coming home and we are looking forward to bringing them home."

Despite the president's appeal, there were few indications China was ready yet to give back either the crew or the aircraft.

The EP-3E Aries II electronic eavesdropping plane made an emergency landing on the tropical island after colliding with a Chinese fighter jet that had shadowed it over the South China Sea.

Several American officials said it appeared the Chinese government would insist on an official US government apology before allowing the crew to leave China.