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Japan and US reject China's air defence zone, says Japanese minister Japan and US reject China's air defence zone, says Japanese minister
(about 3 hours later)
Japan said on Monday that Tokyo and Washington have both rejected Beijing's move to set up an air defence zone that includes islands at the heart of a bitter Sino-Japanese territorial feud.Japan said on Monday that Tokyo and Washington have both rejected Beijing's move to set up an air defence zone that includes islands at the heart of a bitter Sino-Japanese territorial feud.
The announcement comes as US vice-president Joe Biden prepares for a trip to Asia this week, during which he will seek to reach a delicate balance between calming military tensions with China and backing ally Japan against Beijing. The announcement comes as the US vice-president, Joe Biden, prepares for a trip to Asia this week, during which he will seek to reach a delicate balance between calming military tensions with China and backing ally Japan.
Three US airlines, acting on government advice, are notifying China of their plans to transit the airspace of the disputed zone. Washington said over the weekend this did not mean US acceptance of the Chinese flight zone and last week sent two B-52 bombers into the area without informing China. Three US airlines, acting on government advice, are notifying China of their plans to use the airspace of the disputed zone. Washington said at the weekend this did not mean US acceptance of the Chinese flight zone and last week sent two B-52 bombers into the area without informing China.
"The US government has made it clear that it is deeply concerned about China's establishment of the air defence identification zone, and that it will not accept China's demands regarding operations in the zone," the Japanese chief cabinet secretary, Yoshihide Suga, told a news conference."The US government has made it clear that it is deeply concerned about China's establishment of the air defence identification zone, and that it will not accept China's demands regarding operations in the zone," the Japanese chief cabinet secretary, Yoshihide Suga, told a news conference.
Japan's two biggest airlines are following a request from their government not to submit flight plans in advance, which China has demanded from all aircraft since it announced the creation of the zone last month.Japan's two biggest airlines are following a request from their government not to submit flight plans in advance, which China has demanded from all aircraft since it announced the creation of the zone last month.
South Korean authorities have also advised the country's airlines not to submit flight plans to China for flying through the zone, which overlaps with a submerged rock claimed by Beijing and Seoul.South Korean authorities have also advised the country's airlines not to submit flight plans to China for flying through the zone, which overlaps with a submerged rock claimed by Beijing and Seoul.
Sino-Japanese ties, often fraught due to regional rivalry, mutual mistrust and bitter Chinese memories of Japan's wartime occupation, have become increasingly acrimonious because of a quarrel over tiny islands claimed by both Tokyo and Beijing. Sino-Japanese ties, fraught with regional rivalry, mutual mistrust and bitter Chinese memories of Japan's wartime occupation, have become increasingly acrimonious because of a quarrel over tiny islands claimed by both Tokyo and Beijing.
In Tokyo on Tuesday, Biden will likely assure Japan that a military alliance with the US dating back to the 1950s remains valid as the government of Shinzo Abe wrangles with China over the islands. In Tokyo on Tuesday, Biden is expected to assure Japan that a military alliance with the US dating back to the 1950s remains valid as the government of Shinzo Abe wrangles with China over the islands.
He will also try to calm tensions between the US and China, a key trade partner, over the same territorial dispute when he goes to Beijing later in the week.He will also try to calm tensions between the US and China, a key trade partner, over the same territorial dispute when he goes to Beijing later in the week.
"It's especially important … that we continue to amplify our messages that we are and always will be there for our allies, and that there is a way for two major powers in the US and China to build a different kind of relationship for the 21st century," a senior Obama administration official said."It's especially important … that we continue to amplify our messages that we are and always will be there for our allies, and that there is a way for two major powers in the US and China to build a different kind of relationship for the 21st century," a senior Obama administration official said.
Washington has not taken a position on the sovereignty of the islands, known as the Senkaku in Japan and the Diaoyu in China. However, it recognises Tokyo's administrative control and says the US-Japan security pact applies to the islands – a stance that could drag the US into a military conflict it would prefer to avoid.Washington has not taken a position on the sovereignty of the islands, known as the Senkaku in Japan and the Diaoyu in China. However, it recognises Tokyo's administrative control and says the US-Japan security pact applies to the islands – a stance that could drag the US into a military conflict it would prefer to avoid.
US, Japanese and South Korean military aircraft all breached the zone last week without informing Beijing, which later scrambled fighters into the area. American, Japanese and South Korean military aircraft all breached the zone last week without informing Beijing, which later scrambled fighters into the area.
Other countries – including the US, Japan and South Korea – have similar zones but only require aircraft to file flight plans and identify themselves if those planes intend to pass through national airspace.Other countries – including the US, Japan and South Korea – have similar zones but only require aircraft to file flight plans and identify themselves if those planes intend to pass through national airspace.
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