Chinese pilot blames US plane for crash

One of the Chinese pilots involved in the spy plane dispute has blamed the US aircraft for the crash.

Zhao Yu says the American craft veered suddenly and slammed into his partner's fighter jet.

In an interview on state television, Zhao is seen shaking his fist in anger as he says his partner had no way of avoiding a crash.

The dramatic eyewitness account of the collision between the U.S. Navy EP-3E and a Chinese F-8 fighter echoed China's claims that America is to blame.

The question of who caused Sunday's collision has become key in the dispute over the incident.

The Chinese pilot, Wang Wei, is said by China to have parachuted out and is missing in the South China Sea.

In an interview broadcast on state-run television, Zhao said: "Wang Wei's airplane had no way to evade it. It suddenly collided with him.

"The outer propeller on the left wing hit the tail fin of Wang Wei's aircraft. Bam! It was smashed into bits, like little pieces.

"The American plane seriously violated flight regulations. It should be held totally responsible," Zhao shouted. "I express my indignation at the American plane's barbaric act of slamming into our plane on our nation's doorstep!"

China has demanded an American apology. Washington has refused, saying the collision in international airspace was an accident and the US crew did nothing wrong. The 21 men and 3 women made an emergency landing on the southern Chinese island of Hainan and have been held there since Sunday.