US and China wrap up talks

The United States vice president has wrapped up a visit to China, during which he raised a range of concerns -- from freedom of the press to China's recent demands to foreign aircraft.

Listen to regional correspondent Alastair Wanklyn's report...


U.S. Vice President Joe Biden held five and a half hours of talks with China's president, later saying he was direct about Washington's expectations: "We've had many disagreements, and some profound disagreements on some of those issues right now -- the treatment of U.S. journalists."


The vice president was referring to China's apparent curbs on the work of the New York Times newspaper and the Bloomberg news agency after they published investigations into the wealth amassed by Communist Party leaders and their circle.


The vice president also discussed U.S. concerns about China's recent demand that some aircraft outside its borders register their flight plans -- even if they won't fly over China.


Biden said the move has caused anxiety in the region.


Separately, he said there is nothing inevitable about conflict between Beijing and Washington: "In fact, we see considerable common interest on the security side. A secure and peaceful Asia Pacific enables economic growth for the entire region."


Meanwhile, on Wednesday, the U.S. defence secretary said both the U.S. and China have made efforts towards building stronger links between their militaries. Chuck Hagel said in particular they are trying to create ways to address tensions in the seas off China's coast, which, he said: "probably are not going to get any less complicated."