Chinese President Jiang Zemin arrives in Chile on Latin American tour

(5 Apr 2001) 1. Various of Air China plane arrival 2. Various of honour guard and salute 3. Various of Jiang Zemin getting off plane 4. Mid shot of Jiang Zemin being greeted by Soledad Alvear, Chilean Foreign Minister 5. Wide of motorcade driving off STORYLINE: In the midst of a diplomatic crisis with the United States, Chinese President Jiang Zemin arrived in the Chilean capital Santiago on Thursday for the start of a six nation Latin American tour. With 24 US airmen still being held in "protective custody" by Chinese authorities, Jiang seemed intent on down playing what is rapidly becoming an major international crisis. While China has welcomed an American expression of regret over the missing Chinese fighter pilot, they have also labelled the American crew lawbreakers. Chinese officials have stated that they will be detaining the crew in China for interrogation. The crew have been held on Hainan island in the South China Sea since making an emergency landing at a Chinese military base there Sunday after the collision. China insists the U-S plane caused the crash about 60 miles south of Hainan. Zemin made no comment upon arrival in Santiago. Later in the day he is to meet with Chilean President Ricardo Lagos and will be guest of honour at a state dinner in the evening. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...