MANILA, Philippines (AP) Japan's defense minister says China's unilateral air defense identification zone in the East China Sea raises regional tensions and the international community must oppose any move to establish a similar zone in the South China Sea.
Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera told reporters Saturday after meeting with Philippine Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin that he and Gazmin discussed reports that China is considering establishing a similar zone in the South China Sea.
Onodera said the "unilateral establishment of an ADIZ in any area" would raise regional tensions.
When asked about concerns that China might set up a similar zone over the South China Sea, China's ambassador to the Philippines, Ma Keqing, said Monday that it was China's right to decide "where and when to set up" an air identification zone.
