China seeks 'dignified resolution' to plane row

China says it wants a dignified resolution to the spy plane row with the US "as soon as possible".

Chinese President Jiang Zemin and Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan have called for an apology from the US Government but the White House has ruled out any apology.

Tang, however, has given the first sign that China wants to end the mounting tension. He said the country "pays attention to China-US relations and hopes to see the collision incident resolved appropriately as soon as possible".

The row was triggered after an American spy plane collided with a Chinese fighter jet, killing the Chinese pilot and forcing the US plane to make an emergency landing in China. The 24 crew of the US plane are still being held.

American diplomats are still seeking a second chance to see crew of the Navy EP-3E. George W Bush says China must return the plane and its crew or face damaged relations with the US.

US Secretary of State Colin Powell has expressed regret over the loss of the Chinese pilot, who parachuted out of his fighter over the South China Sea and was presumed dead.

"We regret the loss of life of that Chinese pilot, but now we need to move on," Powell told reporters in Washington.

"We need to bring this to a resolution and we're using every avenue available to us to talk to the Chinese side to exchange explanations."