哈格爾訪華：美國將保護它的亞洲盟友

U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel is warning that the U.S. will defend its Asian allies in the event of any conflict with China.

The Pentagon chief made his comments Tuesday after meeting in Beijing with his Chinese counterpart Chang Wanquan.

Hagel said Washington is "fully committed" to treaties obliging it to protect its longtime allies Japan and the Philippines.

Manila and Tokyo are among several Asian countries that accuse China of using intimidation to advance its maritime claims.

Hagel also renewed U.S. criticism of the air defense identification zone set up by China last year that covers islands also claimed by Tokyo.美國國防部長哈格爾警告說，一旦美國在亞洲的盟友跟中國發生衝突，美國將保護他們。

哈格爾跟中國防長常萬年在北京會晤之後，星期二做出上述表示。

哈格爾說，華盛頓“全力履行”根據條約保護其長期盟友日本和菲律賓的義務。

菲律賓和日本等亞洲國家指責中國利用恫嚇手段來推進其對海上主權的要求。

哈格爾還重申，美國批評中國去年設立的防空識別區，該空識區涵蓋了日本也聲稱擁有主權的島嶼。