The US "deeply concerned" and committed to defending its close ally Japan after China unilaterally decided to establish an air defense zone in the disputed East China Sea, Secretary of State John Kerry has said.
"This unilateral action constitutes an attempt to change the status quo in the East China Sea. Escalatory action will only increase tensions in the region and create risks of an incident," Kerry said.
"We urge China not to implement its threat to take action against aircraft that do not identify themselves or obey orders from Beijing," Kerry said yesterday in Geneva.
Kerry and British Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel also urged China to exercise restraint after Japan branded the move as "very dangerous".
China yesterday said it was setting up the "air defence identification zone" in the East China Sea that includes disputed islands administered by Tokyo to "guard against potential air threats". Beijing also scrambled air force jets to carry out a patrol mission in the newly declared zone.
Source: NewsOnJapan
