哈格尔访华：美国将保护它的亚洲盟友

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.美国国防部长哈格尔警告说，一旦美国在亚洲的盟友跟中国发生冲突，美国将保护他们。

哈格尔跟中国防长常万年在北京会晤之后，星期二做出上述表示。

哈格尔说，华盛顿“全力履行”根据条约保护其长期盟友日本和菲律宾的义务。

菲律宾和日本等亚洲国家指责中国利用恫吓手段来推进其对海上主权的要求。

哈格尔还重申，美国批评中国去年设立的防空识别区，该空识区涵盖了日本也声称拥有主权的岛屿。