- China's response: China initially denied that it had shot down the plane. After the announcement, China denounced the incident as a "serious violation of China's sovereignty and territorial integrity" and demanded an apology from the United States.
- US and international reactions: The United States and its allies denounced China's response and demanded an explanation for the downing of the plane and the return of the surviving crew. The incident increased tensions between China and the United States and led to a diplomatic standoff.
-Crew Rescue: The American crew of the downed plane, piloted by U.S. Navy Lieutenant Shane Osborn, successfully ejected and landed safely on Hainan Island. After diplomatic negotiations, the Chinese authorities returned the 24 US crew members on April 1, 2001, ending the 11-day crisis.
Long-Term Consequences
- Damage to US-China relations: The Hainan Island incident strained relations between the United States and China. It led to a period of heightened tensions and suspicion between the two countries.
-Increased Military Tensions: The incident raised concerns about the potential for military conflict between China and the United States. It highlighted the need for improved communication and cooperation between the two countries to avoid future incidents.
- Review of US Intelligence Activities: The incident prompted the United States to review its intelligence-gathering activities and procedures to assess and mitigate potential risks in conducting surveillance missions near foreign airspace.
- Espionage Controversies: The downing of the US spy plane fueled ongoing debates about espionage and the potential consequences of conducting surveillance activities in sensitive regions.
-Aviation Agreements and Incidents: The incident also led to discussions between China and the United States regarding aviation safety and the establishment of protocols to prevent future incidents and manage unplanned encounters between military aircraft.
Overall, the Hainan Island incident significantly affected US-China relations, leading to temporary diplomatic setbacks, increased military tensions, and a renewed focus on managing the risks associated with intelligence gathering activities.