The United States says China’s new air defense zone will not change Washington’s military maneuvers in the Asia-Pacific, calling on Beijing to “rescind the procedures.”
“This announcement is not going to change our military exercises,” State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said on Monday.
“The fact that China’s announcement has caused confusion and increased the risk of accidents only further underscores the validity of our concerns and the need for China to rescind the procedures,” she added.
“Our general position as a US government is that we don’t accept China’s requirements,” Psaki told reporters.
China established the Air Defense Identification Zone over the East China Sea last month, saying all military and commercial aircraft should inform the Chinese government before entering the region.
The United States has said it will not recognize the defense zone. The US flew two B-52 bombers over disputed islands in the East China Sea to challenge China’s declaration.
The United States conducted joint military maneuvers with Japan in the Pacific Ocean near Japan’s southern island of Okinawa during the past week.
US Vice President Joe Biden will raise the issue of the defense zone directly with Chinese leaders during his trip to the region this week.
“This is an opportunity for Vice President Biden to raise our concerns directly with policymakers in Beijing and to seek clarity regarding the Chinese intentions in making this move at this time,” White House spokesman Jay Carney told reporters.
“It is also an opportunity to confer with our allies Japan and the Republic of Korea, both of whom are directly affected by China’s actions,” he added.
AGB/AGB
With permission
Source: Press TV