The original content of Democracy Now! Headlines appears under the Creative
Commons BY-NC-ND 3.0 License (United States). For more, including their other
shows and media, visit www.democracynow.org.
December 17, 2013

Kerry Pledges New Aid for Law Enforcement in Asia Trip 
-------------------------------------------------------


 
Secretary of State John Kerry arrived in the Philippines today to
advance a deal for increased military ties. On Monday, Kerry was in
Vietnam, where he pledged $32.5 million in new aid to help China's
neighbors boost law enforcement at sea. His trip to Asia comes amid
tensions with China over its announcement of an air defense zone in the
East China Sea. Kerry continued to reject the zone during his remarks in
Hanoi.

John Kerry: "China's announcement will not change how the United States
conducts military operations in the region. This is a concern about
which we have been very, very candid, and we've been very direct with
the Chinese. The zone should not be implemented, and China should
refrain from taking similar unilateral actions elsewhere in the region,
and particularly over the South China Sea."

 

.