US Vice President Joe Biden arrived on Wednesday in Beijing to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Li Keqiang.
Biden's meetings are expected to focus on China's new air defense zone on the disputed islands in the East China Sea.
Last month, China announced a new Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ), saying that aircraft flying through the zone must follow its rules, including filing flight plans.
During a visit to Japan on Tuesday Biden expressed US' deep concern over "attempt to unilaterally change the status quo in the East China Sea".
China responded by issuing a statement reaffirming its determination.
"Some people doubt China's monitoring capabilities in the East China Sea ADIZ. The Chinese military's determination and volition to safeguard the security of national territory and territorial airspace are unwavering, and the military is fully capable of exercising effective control over it," the Chinese Defense Ministry statement said.
Meanwhile, Chinese media have criticized Biden's remarks in Tokyo on Tuesday, arguing that Washington was taking sides with Japan.
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