Biden Tells China: U.S. Will Not Recognize Air Defense Zone

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden delivers a speech about America's Asia policy at Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, Dec. 6, 2013.
Start your day with TPM.
Sign up for the Morning Memo newsletter

Vice President Joe Biden said Friday that he informed Chinese leaders Washington would not recognize the country’s newly declared air defense zone in the East China Sea. 

“I was very direct about my country’s position on China’s sudden announcement of an Air Defense Identification Zone,” Biden said in a speech in Seoul, South Korea. “This announcement, to state the obvious, has created considerable apprehension across the region.  But I was absolutely clear on behalf of my President:  We do not recognize the zone.  It will have no effect on American operations.  Just ask my General.  None.  Zero.”

Biden’s comments echoed the position White House spokesman Jay Carney laid out on Thursday.

“We, the United States, do not recognize and we do not accept it, and will not change the way the United States conducts military operations in the region,” Carney told reporters, as quoted by Reuters

Latest Livewire
Comments
Masthead Masthead
Founder & Editor-in-Chief:
Executive Editor:
Managing Editor:
Associate Editor:
Editor at Large:
General Counsel:
Publisher:
Head of Product:
Director of Technology:
Associate Publisher:
Front End Developer:
Senior Designer: