04 December 2013

News Story: In Message to China, US and Japan Push 'Rule of Law'


By JOHN T. BENNETT

WASHINGTON — The United States and Japan on Tuesday let Beijing know they aren’t backing down amid fresh tensions.

China has raised tensions with its neighbors and the US in recent days after extending its air defense identification zone toward Japan to include a new vast swath of Pacific waters and islands. The US last week even flew two B-52 bomber aircraft into the area.

China also in recent months has clashed with Japan and other Southeast Asian nations over control of islands and territory in the South China Sea, ruffling feathers among longtime rivals — and threatening to draw Washington into any conflicts that may arise.

US Vice President Joseph Biden is in Asia on a diplomatic swing, and has been urging China to rescind the air defense zone and its neighbors to resist escalating the situation, while also reminding all parties of Washington’s commitment to its allies like Japan.

Read the full story at DefenseNews