Singapore Reporter

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden told Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday that the United States has “deep concerns” about, and does not recognize, the air defense identification zone set up by Beijing, a U.S. official said.

In their talks, Xi explained his country’s position on the air zone to Biden, according to China’s state-run media. The U.S. official said Xi was clear in presenting his case on the issue and “took on board what the vice president said.”

Xi and Biden agreed to promote practical cooperation and mutual respect, amid heightened regional concern over Beijing’s recently established air defense zone over the East China Sea that encompasses a group of islands at the center of a bitter dispute with Japan.