Ambassador Kennedy Chides China’s Move to Create Air Zone
Published at(BEIJING) — The new U.S. ambassador to Japan has weighed in on escalating tensions between China and Japan over the East China Sea.
On Wednesday, Caroline Kennedy criticized China’s recent move to create its own Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), which requires that all aircraft notify Chinese authorities before entering the airspace.
“Unilateral actions like those taken by China with their announcement of an East China Sea Air-to-Sea Identification Zone undermines security and constitutes an attempt to change the status quo in the East China Sea. This only serves to increase tension in the region,” the ambassador said.
The new ADIZ includes disputed islands claimed by both China and Japan. On Tuesday, the U.S. flew two unarmed B-52 bombers there — a move some say was a show of force in support of Japan.
Ahead of Ambassador Kennedy’s comments, China Daily, a state-run newspaper, chided Washington for “barking up the wrong tree,” and defended its right to monitor the space.
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