http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/1278243.stm
From the outset, China has demanded that Washington accept blame for the collision and apologise, but President George W Bush has refused to do so.
Instead, the US said it was "very sorry" about the loss of the Chinese pilot and "very sorry" the plane did not obtain permission before landing on Chinese territory.
China found the formula adequate to allow the crew to be released on 11 April.
That was still appeasement. We should have threatened military action.