Air defense zone over Diaoyu Islands
Print Edition
China yesterday announced the establishment of an East China Sea Air Defense Identification Zone that includes the Diaoyu Islands, warning it would take “defensive emergency measures” against aircraft failing to identify themselves in airspace over the zone.
The move triggered a strong protest from Japan.
The People’s Liberation Army Air Force conducted its first air patrol over the zone after the announcement. Spokesman Shen Jinke said two large scouts carried out the mission, with early warning aircraft and fighters in support.
“The patrol is in line with international common practices, and the normal flight of international flights will not be affected,” Shen said.
Ties between China and Japan have been strained for months by the dispute over the islands in the East China Sea, which are believed to be surrounded by energy-rich waters.
According to defense ministry spokesman Yang Yujun, an air defense identification zone is established by a maritime nation to guard against potential air threats. This airspace is demarcated outside the territorial airspace and allows the country to set aside time for early warning and helps defend the country’s airspace.
“China’s armed forces will adopt defensive emergency measures to respond to aircraft that do not cooperate in the identification or refuse to follow the instructions,” the statement said.
The new rules mean aircraft have to report flight plans to China’s foreign ministry or civil aviation administration, maintain radio contact and reply promptly to identification inquiries, keep radar transponders turned on, and bear clear markings of their nationality and registration.
Japan lodged a protest at China’s embassy in Tokyo.
Junichi Ihara, who heads the Japanese foreign ministry’s Asian and Oceanian affairs bureau, made the protest by phone to Han Zhiqiang, a top official at the Chinese Embassy in Japan, the ministry said in a statement.
He said Japan could “never accept the zone set up by China,” the statement said. “Setting up such airspace unilaterally escalates the situation ... and has danger of leading to an unexpected situation.”
Han retorted that the islands have been an integral part of the Chinese territory and that Japan is in no position to comment on the establishment of the zone.
Patrol ships from both countries have been shadowing each other near the islands for months, raising fears that a confrontation could develop into a clash.
Yang said other countries had established similar zones and that China would put more in place in future.
“China will establish other air defense identification zones at an appropriate time after completing preparations,” he said. “It is a necessary measure in China’s exercise of self-defense rights. It has no particular target and will not affect the freedom of flight in relevant airspace,” Yang said.
Since the United States established the first air defense identification zone in 1950, more than 20 countries and regions have set up such zones.
Chinese experts said that the announcement of the details of the East China Sea Air Defense Identification Zone is an important step in increasing military transparency.
Zhang Junshe, a military expert, said the demarcation of the zone will not only increase the country’s air defense early warning ability, but also avoid military misjudgments with foreign aircraft. Foreign aircraft should report their flights and follow other regulations if they enter the zone, Zhang said.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
