China establishes' air-defence zone'over East China Sea....Japan says is an escalation over disputed islands

[link to m.bbc.co.uk]

China has demarcated an "air-defence identification zone" over an area of the East China Sea, covering islands that are also claimed by Japan.

China's defence ministry said aircraft entering the zone must obey its rules or face "emergency defensive measures".

The islands, known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China, are a source of rising tension between the countries.

Japan lodged a strong protest over what it said was an "escalation".

"Setting up such airspace unilaterally escalates the situations surrounding Senkaku islands and has danger of leading to an unexpected situation," Japan's foreign ministry said in a statement.

Taiwan, which also claims the Diaoyu/Senkaku islands, expressed regret at the move and promised that the military would take measure to protect national security.

'No specific target'

In its statement, the Chinese defence ministry said aircraft must report a flight plan, "maintain two-way radio communications", and "respond in a timely and accurate manner" to identification inquiries.

"China's armed forces will adopt defensive emergency measures to respond to aircraft that do not co-operate in the identification or refuse to follow the instructions," said the statement.

It said the zone came into effect from 10:00 local time (02:00GMT) on Saturd

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Thread: Secretary Of Defence Hagel Issues Statement on East China Sea Air Defense Identification Zone

"@W7VOA: Sect'y of State Kerry urges #China not implement threat to act against aircraft that don't identify themselves or obey orders from Beijing.

Last Edited by Uncle Fuck Stick on 11/23/2013 07:15 PM