Sen. Marco Rubio
US Republican Senator Marco Rubio has sharply criticized Chinaâ„¢s declaration of an air defense zone over the East China Sea, calling Beijing a criminal government in case of shooting down an aircraft.
Å“I don’t think anyone should be reporting to them [Chinese officials],” Rubio said in an interview with The Hill published on Thursday.
Å“If the Chinese are willing to shoot down a civilian aircraft on an illegitimate claim, then they’re a criminal government. Airlines are free to do whatever they choose, but I don’t think our government should be telling them to do that because it sends confusing messages,” he added.
Last month, China established the Air Defense Identification Zone over the East China Sea, saying all military and commercial aircraft should inform the Chinese government before entering the region.
Beijingâ„¢s decision was slammed by Washington and its allies in the region.
The United States said that it does not recognize the zone, adding that the move is Å“provocative.”
Ignoring Chinaâ„¢s declaration, US, Japanese and South Korean military planes have breached the zone without informing China.
The Chinese government warned that aircraft that do not comply could be subject to a military response.
In a letter to China’s ambassador to Washington earlier this month, four American senators, including Senator Rubio, accused China of Å“disturbing trend of increasingly hostile” actions in the Pacific.
Å“We urge your government not to implement this ADIZ as announced, and to refrain from taking similar provocative actions elsewhere in the region,” the senators wrote. Å“There is nothing for China to gain by undermining regional stability and threatening the peace and prosperity that is the shared objective of all Asia-Pacific nations.”
However, China urged the United States to respect its declaration.
Washington Å“ought to take an objective and fair attitude and respect” Chinaâ„¢s move, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said.
AGB/AGB
Source: Press TV