Bush 'regrets' spy plane row but does not apologise

George Bush has said he 'regrets' the loss of a Chinese pilot - but stopped short of an apology over the spy plane row.

The President sent his prayers to the pilot's family, lost when the plane collided with a US Navy spy plane on Sunday.

But he said it was time to send home the 24 US servicemen the Chinese are holding after the crash over Hainan Island.

"First I regret that a Chinese pilot is missing and one of their aircraft is lost," President Bush said in Washington.

"Our prayers go out to the pilot of the family. Our prayers are also with our own servicemen.

"We should not let this incident destabilise our relationship with the Chinese. "

Choosing his words carefully, he added: "But they need to realise it's time for our people to be home.

"There are discussions going on and that will continue.

"My mission is to bring our people home and my intention is to make sure we do have good relations. But the Chinese must act and I hope they do so quickly."