BEIJING – As China last weekend established what is called an air defense zone over the East China Sea, the Asian powerhouse scrambled fighter jets Friday morning as reports surfaced of United States and Japanese military planes entering the area.
A chinese military spokesman said that several fighter jets and an early warning aircraft carried out the patrol mission, which he described as “a defensive measure and in line with international common practices.”
According to Shen Jinke, China’s air force will remain on high alert and will take measures to deal with diverse air threats to firmly protect the security of the country’s airspace.
Last weekend, the Chinese government issued a statement on establishing the East China Sea Air Defense Identification Zone. It also announced aircraft identification rules and issued a diagram of the zone (see graphic, above).
The Chinese military said days later after a separate incident that occurred on Tuesday, November 26th, that two “unarmed” US B-52 bombers, on a “long-planned” “training mission,” made an “over-flight” through China’s East China Sea Air Defense Identification Zone.
Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel said on November 23rd – the day that China created the defense zone – that the United States “is deeply concerned by the People’s Republic of China announcement today that it is establishing an air defense identification zone in the East China Sea. We view this development as a destabilizing attempt to alter the status quo in the region. This unilateral action increases the risk of misunderstanding and miscalculations. This announcement by the People’s Republic of China will not in any way change how the United States conducts military operations in the region. The United States is conveying these concerns to China through diplomatic and military channels, and we are in close consultation with our allies and partners in the region, including Japan.”
After the incident on Tuesday, a Chinese military spokesperson wrote that “on one hand, the White House and Pentagon have been trying to give the impression that they do not want to be overly provocative. On the other hand, they were anxious to send a message to intimidate.”
Planes from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force have the right to patrol in China’s East China Sea Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) in light of the need of air defense, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang on Friday.
Qin made the remarks at a regular press briefing when asked to explain the purpose of the PLA Air Force’s patrol in the ADIZ on Friday.
China’s armed forces shoulder the mission of protecting the country and safeguarding peace, he said, noting that the armed forces are permanently in a state of high alertness.
China announced the establishment of the ADIZ last Saturday, requiring aircraft to report their flight plans and identify themselves while flying through the zone.
Qin urged reporters to make a distinction between the ADIZ and airspace, noting that the former, which is demarcated outside territorial airspace, is not exclusive.
According to international laws, the normal flight of aircraft of other countries will not be affected, he said, adding that the measures adopted in China’s airspace will not be extended to the ADIZ.
Order and freedom of flight over the East China Sea have not been affected since the establishment of the ADIZ, according to Qin.
Qin said that more than 20 countries, including the United States, Japan and Australia, have set up their own air defense identification zones since the 1950s.
China is not the aggressor in the world if you look at this its USA
Wrong, had you done a wee research; you might have found out that it is not Chinese airspace anywhere near Chinese Territory. It is however an area being administered by Japan. Much like the Spartly Isle. several nations claim the area.
but definitely NOT United States air space.
But it is international air space – not controlled exclusively by China or anyone else.
No it’s not. Not anymore, didn’t you even read the story. “Last weekend, the Chinese government issued a statement on establishing the East China Sea Air Defense Identification Zone.”
China controls this airspace now. Don’t like it then go cry some more. You’d start crying if China jet fighter started flying over the gulf Mexico.
Who do you think you are, the worlds owner?
we are defiantly the bullies of the world. this is a bad situation, after obamas sequester and all that our military cant handle a war with the chinese.
Obama’s sequester? Are you handicapped in the head? You can NOT just go blaming Obama for every damn thing that congress does. He is one branch of government and not a damn dictator.
@Colombo-wrong again. It is Obama’s sequester and you know it. He had the opportunity to stop it and wouldn’t do it because he was pulling his my way or the highway act and he got caught in it. He owns it and he is trying to be the dictator. You need to wake up and get your head out of the left wing sites.
@columbo, LVS is correct, the sequester was Obama’s idea, he never thought the republicans would enforce it when it expired but they did. This lies at Obama’s feet and his alone.
not a dictator yet….