Chinese passport issue raises tension in the region: US

WASHINGTON: The United States has conveyed its concerns to China over a map printed in the new Chinese passports which is causing "tensions and anxiety" among its neighbouring countries including India.

"We are joining the chorus of countries who are urging the Chinese to reconsider the political signal that this appears to send," the State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland told reporters at her daily news conference yesterday.

Yesterday, the Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, in his pre-scheduled meeting with Chinese officials conveyed America's concerns to them that such a move by China has increased tension in the region.

"They (China's neighbouring countries) have obviously been very clear publicly about where they stand, and we've been talking to them in Capitals, but I don't think in terms of asking us to do anything with the Chinese, I don't think so. But obviously, we have concerns if they have concerns," Nuland said.

She said that the United States concerns about the map which is causing tension and anxiety between and among the states in the South China Sea.

"We do intend to raise this with the Chinese in terms of it not being helpful to the environment. We all seek to resolve these issues," Nuland told reporters a day earlier.

"I think we'll make clear that this is not helpful to what we all want, which is an environment where the countries involved in this can settle it," she said in response to a question.