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China anger at US Japan 'air defence zone' objections China anger at US Japan 'air defence zone' objections
(35 minutes later)
China has expressed anger at US and Japanese objections to its creation of an "air defence identification zone" over disputed East China Sea waters.China has expressed anger at US and Japanese objections to its creation of an "air defence identification zone" over disputed East China Sea waters.
It said it made formal complaints to the US and Japanese embassies in China.It said it made formal complaints to the US and Japanese embassies in China.
The zone covers disputed islands that are claimed and controlled by Japan. China says aircraft entering the zone must obey its rules.The zone covers disputed islands that are claimed and controlled by Japan. China says aircraft entering the zone must obey its rules.
US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel called the move a "destabilising attempt to alter the status quo in the region".US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel called the move a "destabilising attempt to alter the status quo in the region".
"This unilateral action increases the risk of misunderstanding and miscalculations," Mr Hagel said in a statement."This unilateral action increases the risk of misunderstanding and miscalculations," Mr Hagel said in a statement.
"This announcement by the People's Republic of China will not in any way change how the United States conducts military operations in the region," he added."This announcement by the People's Republic of China will not in any way change how the United States conducts military operations in the region," he added.
Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida described China's move as "a one-sided action which leads us to assume the danger of unpredictable events on the spot". Katsunobu Kato, a top Japanese government spokesman, said on Monday: "China's measure is not enforceable to our country".
The move "unjustly interferes with the freedom to fly above the open sea, which is a general principle under the international law", and is "a very dangerous thing as well", he said.
But Yang Yujun, a spokesman for China's Ministry of National Defence, said Japan's reaction was "absolutely groundless and unacceptable".But Yang Yujun, a spokesman for China's Ministry of National Defence, said Japan's reaction was "absolutely groundless and unacceptable".
"We strongly require the Japanese side to stop all moves that undermine China's territorial sovereignty as well as irresponsible remarks that misguide international opinions and create regional tensions," Mr Yang said."We strongly require the Japanese side to stop all moves that undermine China's territorial sovereignty as well as irresponsible remarks that misguide international opinions and create regional tensions," Mr Yang said.
He also demanded that the US "earnestly respect China's national security [and] stop making irresponsible remarks for China's setup of the East China Sea Air Defence Identification Zone".He also demanded that the US "earnestly respect China's national security [and] stop making irresponsible remarks for China's setup of the East China Sea Air Defence Identification Zone".
South Korea said it found it "regretful" that China's new zone partly overlapped with its own military air zone, and covered Ieodo, a submerged rock claimed by Seoul.
"I'd like to say once again that we have unchanging territorial control over Ieodo," Kim Min-seok, a South Korean defence ministry spokesman, said on Monday.
China said the zone came into effect from 10:00 local time (02:00GMT) on Saturday.China said the zone came into effect from 10:00 local time (02:00GMT) on Saturday.
Aircraft in the zone must report a flight plan, "maintain two-way radio communications" and "respond in a timely and accurate manner" to identification inquiries, China's Defence Ministry said.Aircraft in the zone must report a flight plan, "maintain two-way radio communications" and "respond in a timely and accurate manner" to identification inquiries, China's Defence Ministry said.
Aircraft that did not follow such rules would be subject to "defensive emergency measures", the ministry added.Aircraft that did not follow such rules would be subject to "defensive emergency measures", the ministry added.
'Act of war'
The islands, known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China, have been a source of tension between China and Japan for decades.The islands, known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China, have been a source of tension between China and Japan for decades.
Japan controls the islands, which are also claimed by Taiwan.Japan controls the islands, which are also claimed by Taiwan.
In 2012, the Japanese government bought three of the islands from their private Japanese owner, sparking mass protests in Chinese cities.In 2012, the Japanese government bought three of the islands from their private 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 January, Japan said a Chinese frigate put a radar lock on a Japanese navy ship near the islands. China insists its ship was only using ordinary surveillance radar.In January, Japan said a Chinese frigate put a radar lock on a Japanese navy ship near the islands. China insists its ship was only using ordinary surveillance radar.
In September, Japan said it would shoot down unmanned aircraft in Japanese airspace after an unmanned Chinese drone flew close to the disputed islands.In September, 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".
Since China's President Xi Jinping took power a year ago, Beijing has become more assertive in its territorial claims in the region, leading to rising tensions with many of its neighbours, the BBC's Martin Patience in Beijing reports.
The US has warned that a small incident or miscalculation in the East China Sea could escalate rapidly into a far wider and more serious crisis.The US has warned that a small incident or miscalculation in the East China Sea could escalate rapidly into a far wider and more serious crisis.
China is also engaged in territorial disputes with several South East Asian countries, including Vietnam and the Philippines. The disputes centre around ocean areas and two island chains in the South China Sea.