Washington - President George Bush has ordered a review of all US government contacts with China following the 11-day spy plane stand-off that strained relations, a White House spokesman said.
After Mr Bush signalled the review on Thursday, the White House spokesman, Mr Ari Fleischer, said yesterday the president had directed the Departments of Defence and State and other agencies engaged with China to "take a look case by case" at their contacts with Beijing. "It's not business as usual yet with China," said one official, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Meanwhile in Moscow, President Vladimir Putin, striking an unusually upbeat note, said President Bush's most recent comments on defence policy were a good basis for dialogue on international security.
Mr Putin, speaking to reporters after talks with the Uzbek President, Mr Islam Karimov, in the Kremlin, noted Mr Bush wanted consultations and had made it clear the US did not consider Russia an adversary or enemy.