US stresses opposition to China's air defence zone

The United States has re-affirmed its staunch opposition to China's recent establishment of the New Air Defense Identification Zone. The renewed stance was emphasized by Vice President Joe Biden during a phone contact, on Thursday, with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, stating Washington "does not recognize" the new Chinese military zone. His office said in a statement that Biden re-affirmed the announcement "will in no way affect U.S. operations in the East China Sea." Biden also reiterated "U.S. support for steps to reduce regional tensions, including new bilateral mechanisms for crisis communication." "The two leaders agreed on the importance of continued close U.S.-Japan coordination on this issue," the statement noted. It added that Biden "also reinforced the importance of trilateral security cooperation among the United States, Japan, and the Republic of Korea, and noted our continued support for improved relations between Tokyo and Seoul." Biden and Abe also discussed the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations "and agreed on the importance of resolving sensitive issues, including on agriculture and autos, and concluding the negotiations as soon as possible." China declared, on November 23, a newly-established air defense zone that overlaps Japan's over the East China Sea, where the disputed Senkaku Islands are located, prompting protests from Japan.