For Japan, America Asks China To Abandon Anti-Aircraft Defenses

China’s efforts to build Eastern coastal defenses over the last 10 years have come under intense scrutiny for violating anti-air defense agreements made by the U.S., Japan and other complicit nations in the 1950s and ’60s. According to an ABC news report published on Nov. 23, China’s recent announcements to bolster its late-to-the-game air defenses prompted both U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel to issue separate statements saying that the U.S. was “deeply concerned” about these developments.

From the same article, Kerry was quoted in Geneva, Switzerland as stating that, “This unilateral action constitutes an attempt to change the status quo in the East China Sea,” and that “Escalatory action will only increase tensions in the region and create risks of an incident.” Apart from these statements, America has already urged “caution and restraint” on China’s part, warning China not to carry out its plans to fortify the air defense zone.*

Defense Secretary Hagel has stated repeatedly that the situation involving the Diaoyu Islands relates to the U.S.-Japan Mutual Defense Treaty, according to which the U.S. would support its ally Japan if military conflict were to occur. He declared that both the U.S. and Japan “would act to meet the common danger” according to “constitutional provisions and processes” in response to an armed attack on Japanese territory.

With regard to “criticism” from the American side, a representative of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Qin Gang, answered reporters’ questions on Nov. 24 and stated that regarding the sovereignty of the Diaoyu Islands, the U.S. should earnestly oppose choosing a side or taking an opinion one way or another. Qin stated that the Chinese government’s plans to fortify its eastern coastline were in accordance with the U.N. Charter, international law and international conventions with objectives of securing the safety and sovereignty of China’s territorial air space, without specifying any foreign nations, and do not affect their rights to fly through it.

Qin emphasized that the Diaoyu Islands are China’s native territory and that China staunchly affirms its sovereignty over them. The current state of affairs is entirely the result of Japan’s erroneous behavior, and America should adopt a position of neutrality on the issue and revoke its statements in support of Japan.

*Editor’s note: The original quotation, accurately translated, could not be verified.