Chinese leaders' plane is bugged

Almost 30 satellite-controlled listening devices have been discovered hidden on the Chinese president's official jet, which was made in the United States, Chinese officials have said.

The 27 tiny bugs were detected after the Boeing 767 emitted a whining noise during test flights in September, shortly after it was delivered. One device was found in a lavatory and another in the headboard of President Jiang Zemin's bed. The luxury aircraft, which includes a bedroom and bathroom, was made at the Boeing factory in Seattle and then fitted with VIP equipment and upholstery by another US company.

The discovery came ahead of a planned summit between US President George Bush and Jiang in Beijing next month. Jiang was said to be furious about the find, but Chinese officials said it was unlikely they would use the incident against the US because of improving relations.

A Boeing spokeswoman said that a 767-300ER plane, which was delivered to Delta Airlines in June 2000, was re-sold to China United Airlines, and customised for Jiang Zemin by a company in Texas.

Chinese officials said there was an investigation into possible negligence within China United Airlines and state-owned China Aviation Supplies Export and Import Corp. (CASC), which was responsible for importing the plane. A source close to the transaction said the maintenance on the aircraft, between it leaving Delta Airlines and being sold to China United Airlines, was carried out by Dee Howard Aircraft Maintenance in San Antonio, Texas.