News World China defends its air defence zone as Biden arrives in Beijing

China defends its air defence zone as Biden arrives in Beijing

Beijing: As US Vice President Joe Biden arrived here to press China to roll back its unilaterally declared air defence zone, Beijing today defended its controversial move, saying it is in accord with international laws



“This action has raised regional tensions and increased the risk of accidents and miscalculation. We are closely consulting with our allies on this matter here in Japan and in Korea which I will soon visit, later this week,” he said. 

China has accused the US and Japan- which both have ADIZs - of double standards, saying the real provocateur is Tokyo. 

“This is a hugely consequential relationship that is going to affect the course of the 21st century,” Biden said after being welcomed by his counterpart Li Yuanchao. 

Their ties will become the “central, sort of, organising principle in international relations for a long time”, the US Vice President said.

“Like all complex relationships, it calls for sustained, high-level engagement,” Biden said, adding he believed President Xi was committed “to managing our differences candidly and constructively.”

China announced a new Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ) last month, and said aircraft flying through the zone must follow its rules, including filing flight plans.

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