"Australia is concerned about peace and stability in our region, and we don't want to see any escalation of tensions, we want to see a de-escalation," she told reporters in Beijing when asked about Australia's stance on China's Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ).
Her remarks came after China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday reproached Bishop for Australia's critical stance on the ADIZ, which China announced last month and covers islands in the East China Sea which are claimed by Beijing and Tokyo.
Wang accused Australia of "jeopardising bilateral mutual trust," and said that, "the entire Chinese society and the general public are deeply dissatisfied," with Australia's comments, Australian broadcaster ABC reported.
Bishop dismissed suggestions that the ADIZ dispute had damaged relations, and said that negotiations on issues including a free trade deal between the two countries had been "productive."
- She added that she had raised human rights issues during her meeting with Wang, but did not give details.
Australia last month summoned China's ambassador to voice opposition to the ADIZ, joining the US, the EU, Japan and South Korea who also criticised it.
Beijing blasted the move, demanding that Canberra "immediately correct its mistake," while warning that ties could be hurt.
But Australia's Prime Minister Tony Abbott remained defiant, saying Canberra would speak out where Australian interests were concerned.
China is Australia's biggest trading partner and Abbott has said he is pushing for Australia to sign a free trade deal with the Asian giant.
Washington remains Canberra's key ally, and Bishop previously said the new government intended to keep Japan as its "best friend" in Asia, as it works on relations with China.
Australia is not seen as a major player in east Asian territorial disputes.
- AFP/ac
7/12/13
---
-
Related:
Japan seeks ICAO's involvement in tackling China's air defense zone/Ιαπωνική έκκληση στον ICAO για ζήτημα εναέριου ελέγχου
China dismisses Japanese claim of altering status quo. -Chinese jets shadowed US and Japanese planes in new air defense zone. -Senkaku/Diaoyu issue
PLA (People’s Liberation Army) pledges to defend East China Sea (video cctv). -Japanese military planes defy China's new air zone.
Îles Senkaku/Diaoyu: le Pentagone rassure le Japon
GR
FR
DE
ES
IT
RU
EU
China urges Japan to stop criticizing ADIZ...
ReplyDeleteChina has urged Japan to stop criticizing its new Air Defense Identification Zone, and reiterated it is in China’s rights to establish such a zone. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei made the remarks after Japanese lawmakers passed a resolution Friday to demand Beijing withdraw the zone.
"It’s reasonable and legitimate for China to establish an Air Defense Identification Zone over the East China Sea. It is in accordance with international laws and conventions. Japan has no right to make groundless remarks about this issue. China is firmly opposed to that. What Japan should do is to stop its wrong behavior, stop badgering, and stop making provocations," he said.
Hong Lei explained the Air Defense Identification Zone is not territorial air space. It is an area set up by a country in the public air zone as a precaution, and has nothing to do with jurisdiction. He adds South Korea which is mulling expanding its own Air Defense Identification Zone needs to obey international laws and conventions. And China is willing to maintain communications with South Korea based on the principles of equality and mutual respect.
http://english.cntv.cn/program/newshour/20131207/102281.shtml
7/12/13