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The East China Sea Air Defense Identification Zone is an area covering most of the East China Sea where the People's Republic of China announced that it was introducing air traffic restrictions in November 2013. The area consists of the airspace from about, and including, the Japanese-claimed Senkaku Islands (known as Diaoyu Islands in mainland China) north to South Korean-claimed Socotra Rock (known as Suyan Jiao in China). Much of the area overlaps with a Japanese ADIZ. The Chinese initiative was controversial and challenged by US and Japan as an escalation of the Senkaku Islands territorial dispute between China and Japan.

History

The first ADIZ was established by the United States in 1950 when it created a joint North American ADIZ with Canada, citing the legal right of a nation to establish reasonable conditions of entry into its territory. The U.S. does not apply its ADIZ procedures to foreign aircraft not intending to enter U.S. airspace and does not recognize the right of a coastal nation to apply its ADIZ procedures to foreign aircraft not intending to enter national airspace.

Japan's ADIZ was created by the U.S. during its post-World War II occupation of Japan. Management of the ADIZ was transferred in Japan in 1969. The Japanese ADIZ is not recognized by China or Russia. Japan unilaterally expanded its ADIZ twice after the US "transfer", one in 1972 and one in 2010. On June 25, 2010 Japan extended its ADIZ further into the East China Sea. As this led to an overlapping with Taiwan's ADIZ the government of the Taiwan expressed its "regret" over Japan's move.

South Korea established its ADIZ in 1951 during the Korean War. It currently does not cover Socotra Rock, known to Koreans as Ieodo, but Korean Defence Minister Kim Kwan-jin said that Korea would consider extending its ADIZ in light of the extent of the Chinese ADIZ.

Identification Rules

From the rules published by the Ministry of National Defense of the People's Republic of China:

• Identification of flight plan. Any aircraft in the zone must report its flight plan to China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Civil Aviation Administration.
• Radio identification. Aircraft in the zone must maintain two-way radio communication and respond in a timely and accurate manner to inquiries
• Responder identification. Any with a Air Traffic Control Radar Beacon System transponder must keep it on during the aircraft's time in the zone
• Sign identification. Any aircraft in the zone must display insignia indicating its nationality and registration clearly, in accordance with international treaties
• Aircraft in the zone should follow instructions. The Chinese military will adopt emergency defensive measures to respond to aircraft that refuse to follow the instructions.

Administration and Monitoring Operations

On 23 November 2013, after the establishment of the East China Sea Air Defense Identification Zone of the People's Republic of China and the Identification Rules of the East China Sea Air Defense Identification Zone of the People's Republic of China took effect after 10am Beijing time, China sent two electronic reconnaissance aircraft, one Y-8 and one Tu-154 to conduct the first administration and monitoring operation in this area. Japan scrambled two F-15 to "intercept".

International Reaction

United States defense secretary Chuck Hagel has called the Chinese move "a destabilizing attempt to alter the status quo in the region". United States sent two B-52 bombers from Guam to fly through the zone, and claimed that it was "without apparent Chinese reaction". The Chinese military said it monitored the November 26 U.S. flight and stated that China had the ability to "effectively control the relevant airspace." Col. Geng also said that the two B-52 bombers were flying along the border of the Identification Zone.

The US and Japan have both said they will ignore the Chinese ADIZ and disregard Chinese orders. Hagel declared that the Chinese announcement “will not in any way change how the United States conducts military operations in the region.” He also reiterated the Obama administration’s official stance that the US would automatically support Japan in the event of a war with China over the Senkaku islands.

South Korea summoned a Chinese diplomat on November 25 to protest the creation of the zone, which includes Korean-claimed Socotra Rock where Korea has built structures. Sources said that Seoul was informed in advance of Chinese plans, however, as Chinese officials stated that with respect to South Korea, "the two sides will solve the issue through friendly consultations and negotiations". South Korea's Ministry of Transport said its airlines would not recognize the Chinese ADIZ which, according to the Ministry, did not comply with international regulations.

Australia summoned the Chinese ambassador in Australia to protest.

Asian airlines and authorities said they would inform China before their airliners entered the contested zone, but would not alter their flight paths or schedules.

See also

• Air Defense Identification Zone (North America)
• Senkaku Islands dispute

References

1. "Two Japanese airlines to disregard China air zone rules". British Broadcasting Corporation. 26 November 2013. Retrieved 27 November 2013.
2. Abeyratne, Ruwantissa. "In search of theoretical justification for air defence identification zones" (PDF). International Foundation For Aviation And Development. Retrieved 27 November 2013.
3. "The Commander's Handbook on the Law of Naval Operations". Department of the Navy Office of the Chief of Naval Operations and Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Coast Guard. July 2007. Retrieved 30 November 2011.
4. "Background: Air Defense Identification Zones". China Network Television. 24 November 2013. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
5. "Japan's ADIZ is 130 KM away from Zhejiang at Its Closest Point, Covering Chunxiao Oilfield" (in Chinese). East Day. 11/27/2013. Retrieved 11/27/2013. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
6. "Japan extends ADIZ into Taiwan space". taipeitimes.com. Taipei Times. 26 June 2013. Retrieved 24 November 2013.
7. China’s aerial ambitions deepen territorial tensions The Korea Herald 26 November 2013
8. "Announcement of the Aircraft Identification Rules for the East China Sea Air Defense Identification Zone of the P.R.C." Beijing, China: Ministry of National Defense of the People's Republic of China. November 23, 2013. Retrieved November 25, 2013.
9. "Chinese Air Force Conducted the First Patrol Operation in China's East China Sea Air Defense Identification Zone" (in Chinese). Beijing, China: Ministry of National Defense of the People's Republic of China. November 23, 2013. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
10. "Two Chinese Reconnaissance Aircraft Approached Diaoyu Islands, Prompting Japan Fighters to Intercept" (in Chinese). Beijing, China. November 23, 2013. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
11. Fabey, Michael (24 November 2013). "Chinese Move Prompts Pentagon Response". aviationweek.com. Penton. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
12. Freedberg Jr., Sydney J. (26 November 2013). "US Tests New China Air Defense Zone With B-52s; PRC Move Drives Korea, Japan Together". breakingdefense.com. Breaking Media, Inc. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
13. Defense Ministry spokesman Geng Yansheng re U.S. aircraft Ministry of National Defense of the People's Republic of China 27 November 2013
14. Chan, John (26 November 2013). "Heightened tensions over China's air defence zone". www.wsws.org. ICFI. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
15. China Hit with Complaints Over Maritime Air Defense Zone Voice of America 25 November 2013
16. China informed Seoul of air defense zone The Korea Herald 25 November 2013
17. Alastair Gale (267 November 2013, South Korea Familiar With B-52 Show of Force The Wall Street Journal
18. "US defies China's fly zone with B-52 flight". Agence France-Presse. 27 November 2013. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
19. Blanchard, Ben; Kelly, Tim (25 November 2013). "Asian airlines to give flight plans to China after airspace zone created". reuters.com. Thomson Reuters. Retrieved 25 November 2013.

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