US vice-president warns Beijing of 'significant apprehension in region' after annexing of skies over disputed islands

China's new air defence zone over the East China Sea has caused significant unease, Joe Biden said in Beijing on Thursday, adding that he had been "very direct" in his meetings with the Chinese president.

There was little indication of progress on the issue following the US vice-president's five hours of discussions with Xi Jinping on Wednesday during the middle leg of a trip to Japan, China and South Korea that has been dominated by the row. Neither man mentioned the dispute when they appeared before reporters briefly during the talks.

"China's recent and sudden announcement of the establishment of a new air defence identification zone has, to state the obvious, caused significant apprehension in the region," Biden told US executives in Beijing.

"I was very direct about our firm position and our expectations in my conversations with President Xi."

He noted that China's stake in regional stability was growing as its economy developed, increasing its responsibility to contribute to peace and security. "That means taking steps to reduce the risk of accidental conflict and miscalculation ... and refraining from taking steps that would increase tension," Biden said.



The vice-president strongly criticised pressure on foreign media, saying the US had "profound disagreements" with China over the treatment of American journalists. The websites of Bloomberg and the New York Times have been blocked since they ran stories on the family wealth of leaders and a Bloomberg journalist travelling with David Cameron was excluded from a Beijing event this week, prompting the prime minister to complain directly to Xi.

The foreign ministry later told reporters it had sought to ensure there were sufficient spaces for Chinese and British media.

Biden said: "Innovation thrives where people breathe freely, speak freely, are able to challenge orthodoxy, where newspapers can report the truth without fear of consequences."

The vice-president later met the premier, Li Keqiang. He is due to fly to Seoul later in the day for talks with leaders there.