Both Vietnam and the Philippines have competing claims with China over territory in the South China Sea and are concerned with growing Chinese assertiveness after Beijing's unilateral declaration of an East China Sea air defense zone.
That zone has dramatically raised tension between China and Japan.
“The United States does not recognize that zone and does not accept it,” Kerry said during a news conference on Tuesday with Philippines Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario.
“The zone should not be implemented and China should refrain from taking similar unilateral actions elsewhere in the region, particularly over the South China Sea.”
Chinese officials have suggested that a similar zone could be established over the South China Sea.
Del Rosario said: “China, in doing this, effectively is attempting to transform an air zone into its own domestic airspace, and we think that this could lead to compromising freedom of flight, in terms of civil aviation, and also compromise safety and security of affected nations.”
If China establishes an air defense zone in the South China Sea, del Rosario said, “that for us will be a problem.”
Kerry said the United States would stand with its friends in the Asia-Pacific.
