US criticise China's new air-defense zone as 'provocative'

The White House affirmed Thursday the Air Defense Identification Zone, recently established by China in the East China Sea, "will not change how the U.S. conducts military operations in the region." "We do not recognize it and we do not accept it, and it will not change how the U.S. conducts military operations in the region," White House Spokesman Jay Carney told reporters here. He added "it does not have any practical effect on U.S. government operations." He stressed that China's announcement "was a provocative unilateral action that raises tensions in one of the world's most geopolitically sensitive areas, including territory administered by another state." "It clear increases the risk of a dangerous miscalculation or accident that could escalate quickly and dangerously," he added. He continued saying "our message to China is that this type of provocative behavior is not consistent with the actions of a major power that upholds international norms and promotes peace and stability."