Statements by Secretary of State John Kerry and Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel on the East China Sea Air Defense Identification Zone
Statements by Secretary of State John Kerry and Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel
on the East China Sea Air Defense Identification Zone
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesperson
For Immediate Release November 23, 2013
2013/1469
STATEMENT BY SECRETARY OF STATE JOHN KERRY
On the East China Sea Air Defense Identification Zone
The United States is deeply concerned about China’s announcement that they’ve established an “East China Sea Air Defense Identification Zone.” 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.
Freedom of overflight and other internationally lawful uses of sea and airspace are essential to prosperity, stability, and security in the Pacific. We don’t support efforts by any State to apply its ADIZ procedures to foreign aircraft not intending to enter its national airspace. The United States does not apply its ADIZ procedures to foreign aircraft not intending to enter U.S. national airspace. We urge China not to implement its threat to take action against aircraft that do not identify themselves or obey orders from Beijing.
We have urged China to exercise caution and restraint, and we are consulting with Japan and other affected parties, throughout the region. We remain steadfastly committed to our allies and partners, and hope to see a more collaborative and less confrontational future in the Pacific.
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Statement by Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel on the East China Sea Air Defense Identification Zone
The United States is deeply concerned by the People’s Republic of China announcement today that it is establishing an Air Defense Identification Zone in the East China Sea. We view this development as a destabilizing attempt to alter the status quo in the region. This unilateral action increases the risk of misunderstanding and miscalculations. This announcement by the People’s Republic of China will not in any way change how the United States conducts military operations in the region. The United States is conveying these concerns to China through diplomatic and military channels, and we are in close consultation with our allies and partners in the region, including Japan. We remain steadfast in our commitments to our allies and partners. The United States reaffirms its longstanding policy that Article V of the U.S. Japan Mutual Defense Treaty applies to the Senkaku Islands. |
Official Chinese announcements and top American analysis of China and ADIZ issues is available here.
