U.S. Secretary of State Kerry Warns China Over Air Defense Zone For South China Sea

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry speaks during a news conference in Vienna, Austria, May 17, 2016. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger

Reuters: Kerry warns Beijing over air defense zone for South China Sea

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Sunday the United States would consider any Chinese establishment of an air defense zone over the South China Sea to be a "provocative and destabilizing act".

U.S. officials have expressed concern that an international court ruling expected in coming weeks on a case brought by the Philippines against China over its South China Sea claims could prompt Beijing to declare an air defense identification zone, or ADIZ, as it did over the East China Sea in 2013.

"We would consider an ADIZ...over portions of the South China Sea as a provocative and destabilizing act which would automatically raise tensions and call into serious question China's commitment to diplomatically manage the territorial disputes of the South China Sea," Kerry said during a visit to Mongolia.

"So we urge China not to move unilaterally in ways that are provocative."

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Update: Kerry Cautions China on Actions in South China Sea (AP)

WNU Editor: This is not going to help calm tensions .... China says it will ignore South China Sea lawsuit decision (FOX News/AP).