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| China establishes 'air-defence zone' over East China Sea | China establishes 'air-defence zone' over East China Sea |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 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 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". | China's Defence Ministry said aircraft entering the zone must obey its rules or face "emergency defensive measures". |
| The zone came into effect from 10:00 local time (02:00GMT) on Saturday. | The zone came into effect from 10:00 local time (02:00GMT) on Saturday. |
| The islands, known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China, are a source of rising tension between the countries. | The islands, known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China, are a source of rising tension between the countries. |
| In its statement, the 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. | In its statement, the 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. | "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. |
| A map posted on Twitter by state news agency Xinhua showed the zone covering a wide area of the East China Sea, including regions very close to South Korea and Japan. | |
| Rising tensions | Rising tensions |
| Responding to questions about the zone on an official state website, a defence ministry spokesman, Yang Yujun, said China set up the area "with the aim of safeguarding state sovereignty, territorial land and air security, and maintaining flight order". | Responding to questions about the zone on an official state website, a defence ministry spokesman, Yang Yujun, said China set up the area "with the aim of safeguarding state sovereignty, territorial land and air security, and maintaining flight order". |
| "It is not directed against any specific country or target," he said, adding that China "has always respected the freedom of over-flight in accordance with international law". | "It is not directed against any specific country or target," he said, adding that China "has always respected the freedom of over-flight in accordance with international law". |
| "Normal flights by international air liners in the East China Sea Air Defence Identification Zone will not be affected in any way." | "Normal flights by international air liners in the East China Sea Air Defence Identification Zone will not be affected in any way." |
| There has been no response so far from Japan. | There has been no response so far from Japan. |
| The islands have been a source of tension between China and Japan for decades. | The islands have been a source of tension between China and Japan for decades. |
| In 2012, the Japanese government bought three of the islands from their Japanese owner, sparking mass protests in Chinese cities. | In 2012, the Japanese government bought three of the islands from their Japanese owner, sparking mass protests in Chinese cities. |
| Since then, Chinese ships have repeatedly sailed in and out of what Japan says are its territorial waters. | Since then, Chinese ships have repeatedly sailed in and out of what Japan says are its territorial waters. |
| In September this year, Japan said it would shoot down unmanned aircraft in Japanese airspace after an unmanned Chinese drone flew close to the disputed islands. | In September this year, Japan said it would shoot down unmanned aircraft in Japanese airspace after an unmanned Chinese drone flew close to the disputed islands. |
| China said that any attempt by Japan to shoot down Chinese aircraft would constitute "an act of war". | China said that any attempt by Japan to shoot down Chinese aircraft would constitute "an act of war". |
| Last month Japan's defence minister, Itsunori Onodera, said China's behaviour over the disputed East China Sea islands was jeopardising peace. | Last month Japan's defence minister, Itsunori Onodera, said China's behaviour over the disputed East China Sea islands was jeopardising peace. |