Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin: Philippines and Japan may discuss China move. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin on Friday said China’s declaration of a new air defense zone in the East China Sea may be discussed when he meets with Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera next week.
Onodera is coming over to visit Japanese troops and medical volunteers helping in the rehabilitation of typhoon victims in Eastern Visayas.
Gazmin told the reporters there was no fixed agenda in his talks with Onodera, saying it would be a “free-flowing” meeting.
No exact date has been set for Onodera’s visit.
Asked if China might impose an air defense zone over the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) similar to what it declared in the East China Sea, Gazmin said that would only heighten “the strong reactions” of other countries.
“China is feeling that reaction, so common sense will tell you that you should not commit the same mistake, if they recognize that as a mistake,” Gazmin said.
“But we will have to wait and see. Based on the reactions of the other countries, [the move] does not give a good impression,” he said.—Nikko Dizon
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