Chinese criticise US crew release

Chinese people have reacted angrily to the decision to release the crew of the US spy plane that collided with a Chinese jet fighter.

A number of people have been protesting at the news outside the military guesthouse where the 24 crew members are believed to have stayed.

Beijing's decision to release the crew after what it called "appropriate travel procedures" were completed has also drawn swift criticism in Chinese online discussion forums.

"The matter isn't settled, so it's not right that they be allowed to go home," said a grocery store owner, who only gave his surname, Fu.

He added: "It's like coming to my doorstep and punching me. You can't just say sorry, and walk away."

Internet forums are monitored and comments regarded as unacceptable to the government are removed but they have been a popular venue for public opinion during the standoff, when authorities discouraged protests. "The government showed weakness again," read one message posted on the site run by the Communist Party newspaper People's Daily less than one hour after the planned release was announced.

The writer said the decision was disrespectful to Wang Wei, the lost Chinese pilot praised as a national hero in state media.

He also cited the 1999 accidental bombing by US planes of the Chinese Embassy in Yugoslavia during NATO's campaign against Slobodan Milosevic.

"How could we tell it to the victims of the embassy bombing? How could we tell it to Wang Wei? His death is not worthy at all," said the message, signed with the pseudonym Waiwaili.