As the United States and China wrangle over an intercepted U.S. spy plane, countries in Asia fear the standoff could affect peace talks between North and South Korea.

The Associated Press reported Thursday that the standoff could set back the still precarious detente between South and North Korea. As North Korea's only ally, China has played an important behind-the-scenes role in efforts to coax Pyongyang out of its 50-year-old isolation.

Kim Sung-han, a researcher at South Korea's Institute of Foreign Affairs and National Security, said the standoff could hamper Seoul's plans for four-way peace talks to include both Koreas, the United States and China.

The U.S. Navy EP-3E spy plane has been grounded on the Chinese island of Hainan since a collision with a Chinese warplane Sunday. The United States is demanding the release of the plane and 24-member crew.