Chinas military sent several fighter jets and an early warning aircraft on patrol into disputed airspace over the East China Sea, the state news agency Xinhua reported, quoting a spokesman for the Peoples Liberation Army Air Force. The move raises the stakes in a standoff with the United States, Japan and South Korea over the zone. Japan and South Korea sent their own military aircraft through the airspace on Thursday. The Chinese patrol mission was a defensive measure and in line with international common practices, said Shen Jinke, a spokesman for Chinas air force. Ties between China and Japan have been strained for months by the dispute over the islands in the East China Sea, called the Diaoyu by China and the Senkaku by Japan. The islands are currently under Japanese administrative control. China last week unilaterally announced that foreign aircraft - including passenger aircraft - passing over the islands would have to identify themselves to China. Sign of support Earlier this week, Washington sent two unarmed B-52 bombers through the airspace without first informing Beijing, a sign of support for its ally Japan. Although there are risks of a confrontation in the defence zone, US and Chinese military officials have stepped up communication with each other in recent years and are in regular contact to avoid accidental clashes breaking out. US Vice President Joe Biden is visiting China, Japan and South Korea next week, and will try to diffuse tensions over the issue, senior U.S. administration officials said. US officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Thursdays Chinese flight, which Xinhua described as normal air patrols in the new air defence zone Beijing has declared. Xinhua reported that Chinas air force is on high alert and will take measures to deal with diverse air threats to firmly protect the security of the countrys airspace. Analysts question Chinas technical ability to enforce the zone due to a shortage of early warning radar aircraft and in-flight refueling capability. However, many believe that China has a long-term plan to win recognition for the zone with a gradual ratcheting-up of warnings and possibly also eventual enforcement action.
Posted on: Fri, 29 Nov 2013 12:10:46 +0000
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