21.   Relations worsened over the U.S. failure to pay its U.N. debt.

22.   Relations further worsened in late June when China arrested Harry Wu, a China-born, U.S. citizen and human rights crusader, and charged him with spying.

23.   Seoul had hoped the aid would help warm frosty ties, but relations have worsened.

24.   There are also longer-term concerns about Kaliningrad if relations worsen between the West and Russia.

25.   Vietnam was responding to a German warning that relations could worsen unless Hanoi speeds up repatriation.

26.   Washington for its part does not expect relations to worsen in dealings with a Hashimoto-led administration.

27.   Li was recalled indefinitely to Beijing in June as bilateral relations were worsening sharply.

28.   Relations have worsened in the last year over a range of issues, from Taiwan to human rights to alleged Chinese nuclear proliferation.

29.   Relations have worsened in recent years amid accusations by the United States that Iran supports international terrorism and seeks to develop weapons of mass destruction.

30.   Sino-US relations have worsened steadily since, and administration officials took pains to stress the unofficial nature of the congressional reception on Wednesday.