2013-11-23 17:25:20

China declares "air-defence zone" over East China Sea


(Vatican Radio) China has declared an air-defence zone over much of the East China Sea, and is demanding that foreign aircraft observe new rules requiring them to report to Chinese authorities, even when flying over islands held by Japan.

In a statement, China declared much of the sea between itself, Japan and South Korea an "air-defence identification zone", saying the zone would strengthen its national security.

It said aircraft in the zone that fail to report to Chinese authorities may meet military consequences, although it stopped short of saying it would shoot them down. China said all aircraft must obey, apart from civilian airliners.

Nations such as Japan, South Korea and the United States currently use the East China Sea for military flights. China released a map showing the zone reaches close to Japan and South Korea, and also covers a group of islands controlled by Japan.

The Japanese government has responded saying that the move "escalates" tensions there. So far, the territorial standoff in the region has played out mostly between ocean patrol ships, but now, analysts say, it may extend into airspace too.

China's government has said it is acting within international law by imposing the zone, noting that many other nations worldwide maintain similar air-defence identification zones.

Listen to Alastair Wanklyn's report: RealAudioMP3








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