In Tokyo, Biden blames China for raising tensions in northeast Asia

[alp227]

Source: Washington Post

TOKYO — Vice President Biden said Tuesday that the United States is “deeply concerned” about China’s establishment of an air defense zone over disputed islands in the East China Sea, a message aimed at reassuring U.S. allies while leaving negotiating room as he heads to Beijing.

Biden blamed China for raising tensions with Japan and South Korea, which he said would “increase the risk of accidents and miscalculation” in the wide flight path above the disputed islands, known as the Senkaku in Japanese and the Diaoyu in Chinese. But he stopped short of demanding that Beijing withdraw its declaration.

“We, the United States, are deeply concerned by the attempt to change the status quo in the East China Sea,” Biden said during an appearance with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe after they met for talks about security and economic matters.

Biden’s remarks, which echoed statements he made in a written interview with the Asahi Shimbun newspaper this week, were his first public comments on the dispute since arriving in Japan, the initial stop in a week-long trip to northeast Asia. The Obama administration hopes the trip will ease tensions as it seeks to refocus its foreign policy agenda on the fast-growing region.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/in-tokyo-biden-blames-china-for-raising-tensions-in-region/2013/12/03/c3a10964-5c0a-11e3-bc56-c6ca94801fac_story.html

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New York Times, In the East China Sea, a Far Bigger Test of Power Looms

South China Morning Post, Biden wants Japan, China to have communication channel over air defence zone

Japan Times, U.S. backs Japan against ADIZ: Biden

Al Jazeera, US 'deeply concerned' over China defence zone

Xinhua, Abe, Biden agree to address ADIZ concerns in coordinated manner

The Vice President is now in China, as these outlets report. I will post to LBN once Biden is finished with his discussions there, rather than post on an upcoming event in LBN.

AP just now, Biden in China amid spat over air defense zone

BBC, Biden arrives in China amid tensions over air zone

New York Times, Biden Arrives in China Seeking Restraint Over New Air Zone

[Laelth]

1. OK. That's a reasonable statement from the Vice President.

I give him kudos for that.

But inciting the people of China to revolution? That's bad form, imo.

Here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014662997

-Laelth