Foreign Ministry spokesman Sun Yuxi said on Thursday Washington's regret over the Sunday collision of the US and Chinese planes is a positive step but said that it is not enough.

``The regret expressed by the US side is a step taken in the right direction,'' said Sun at a regular briefing in Beijing.

However, he reiterated that the US should assume all the responsibilities and make a full apology to the Chinese people.

Sun's remarks followed US Secretary of State Colin Powell's statement Wednesday (Washington time), in which he said that the United States ``regrets that the Chinese plane did not get down safely'' and ``regrets the loss of the life of that Chinese pilot.''

``The US side knows clearly China's stance and demands on this issue,'' said Sun, ``What I want to stress is that the United States must assume all the responsibilities and make a full apology to the Chinese people.''

The stalemate between China and the United States entered its fifth day Thursday with the 24 US crew members staying at China's Hainan Island and the Chinese pilot Wang Wei still missing. Rescue efforts are still under way in the South China Sea with ships and helicopters combing the area day and night.

Sun told the press that the US crew are safe and sound on the island and were visited by US diplomats earlier this week.

He criticized the United States for filing groundless charges against China and urged the United States to adopt a co-operative attitude towards the proper resolution of the issue.

``The crucial point is that the US side should take a co-operative attitude and treat China's representations and protests seriously, admit their mistakes and apologize,'' said Sun.

``China will make proper arrangements for future visits (by US diplomats to the crew) as long as the US side adopts a co-operative attitude.''

Sun also assured that the US diplomatic missions in China are safe, saying that China has all along guaranteed the safety of all embassies and consulates in China according to the Vienna Convention on International Relations and Chinese laws.

(Chinadaily.com.cn 04/05/2001)