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| China Warns of Action Against Aircraft Over Disputed Sea | China Warns of Action Against Aircraft Over Disputed Sea |
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| HONG KONG — The Chinese government warned on Saturday that it claimed the right to identify, monitor and possibly take military action against aircraft that enter a newly declared “air defense identification zone,” which covers sea and islands also claimed by Japan. The declaration appeared to be a step in China’s efforts to intensify pressure on Japan over the disputed islands in the East China Sea. | HONG KONG — The Chinese government warned on Saturday that it claimed the right to identify, monitor and possibly take military action against aircraft that enter a newly declared “air defense identification zone,” which covers sea and islands also claimed by Japan. The declaration appeared to be a step in China’s efforts to intensify pressure on Japan over the disputed islands in the East China Sea. |
| The warning from a Chinese Ministry of National Defense spokesman, Colonel Yang Yujun, accompanied the ministry’s release of a map, geographic coordinates and rules that Colonel Yang said authorized authorities to treat an area alongside the eastern Chinese coast as an “air defense identification zone.” | The warning from a Chinese Ministry of National Defense spokesman, Colonel Yang Yujun, accompanied the ministry’s release of a map, geographic coordinates and rules that Colonel Yang said authorized authorities to treat an area alongside the eastern Chinese coast as an “air defense identification zone.” |
| “The objective is to defend national sovereignty and territorial and air security, as well as to maintain orderly aviation,” Colonel Yang said in comments issued on the ministry’s website in both Chinese and English. | “The objective is to defend national sovereignty and territorial and air security, as well as to maintain orderly aviation,” Colonel Yang said in comments issued on the ministry’s website in both Chinese and English. |
| “China’s armed forces will take defensive emergency measures to respond to aircraft that do not cooperate in identification or refuse to follow orders,” said the rules issued by the ministry, also in Chinese and English. | “China’s armed forces will take defensive emergency measures to respond to aircraft that do not cooperate in identification or refuse to follow orders,” said the rules issued by the ministry, also in Chinese and English. |
| Colonel Yang said the declaration of the air zone was not aimed at any particular country, and would not impede commercial freedom of flight over the East China Sea. But his words left little doubt that the move could be used against the Japanese government and military aircraft. China and Japan are locked in a volatile dispute in the East China Sea over small, uninhabited islands, called the Diaoyu by China and Senkaku by Japan. Taiwan also claims them. | Colonel Yang said the declaration of the air zone was not aimed at any particular country, and would not impede commercial freedom of flight over the East China Sea. But his words left little doubt that the move could be used against the Japanese government and military aircraft. China and Japan are locked in a volatile dispute in the East China Sea over small, uninhabited islands, called the Diaoyu by China and Senkaku by Japan. Taiwan also claims them. |
| The Japanese Foreign Ministry said the government had lodged a “serious protest” with the Chinese government over the move. | |
| The longstanding dispute between Beijing and Tokyo over the islands flared last year, months before Xi Jinping assumed leadership of the Chinese Communist Party in November. Under Mr. Xi, China has used military and government aircraft and ships in an increasingly active contest of shadowing and monitoring with Japanese authorities, who exercise effective control over the disputed islands. Now China has raised the stakes. | The longstanding dispute between Beijing and Tokyo over the islands flared last year, months before Xi Jinping assumed leadership of the Chinese Communist Party in November. Under Mr. Xi, China has used military and government aircraft and ships in an increasingly active contest of shadowing and monitoring with Japanese authorities, who exercise effective control over the disputed islands. Now China has raised the stakes. |
| “Should there be threats or unidentified flying objects coming from airspace over the sea, the Chinese side will, depending on the circumstances, respond by promptly taking corresponding steps to identify, monitor, control and deal with them,” Colonel Yang said. | “Should there be threats or unidentified flying objects coming from airspace over the sea, the Chinese side will, depending on the circumstances, respond by promptly taking corresponding steps to identify, monitor, control and deal with them,” Colonel Yang said. |
| “Normal flight activity by international airliners in the East China Sea Air Defense Identification Zone will not be affected in any way.” | “Normal flight activity by international airliners in the East China Sea Air Defense Identification Zone will not be affected in any way.” |
| The rules left unclear how frequently and thoroughly China intends to enforce them. But Chinese state-run media widely reported the announcement, which could kindle public expectations that the government will take steps to back up its words. | The rules left unclear how frequently and thoroughly China intends to enforce them. But Chinese state-run media widely reported the announcement, which could kindle public expectations that the government will take steps to back up its words. |
| Military experts have said that even if both Japan and China seek to avoid outright confrontation over the islands, there is the risk that an unplanned incident in the seas or air near the islands could spiral into a wider military conflict. | Military experts have said that even if both Japan and China seek to avoid outright confrontation over the islands, there is the risk that an unplanned incident in the seas or air near the islands could spiral into a wider military conflict. |
| A Communist Party leadership conference this month endorsed the establishment of a national security commission, which analysts have said is intended to enhance policy coordination in the face of domestic and external threats. The commission is also likely to enhance Mr. Xi’s influence, analysts have said. | A Communist Party leadership conference this month endorsed the establishment of a national security commission, which analysts have said is intended to enhance policy coordination in the face of domestic and external threats. The commission is also likely to enhance Mr. Xi’s influence, analysts have said. |