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…