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China raps Abe over remarks on air defense zone
BEIJING (Kyodo) — Beijing has voiced its objection to remarks made by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at a Japan-ASEAN summit concerning China’s newly established air defense identification zone.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei “expressed China’s strong anger over the Japanese leader for his malicious slander against China in international arena,” according to the ministry’s press release issued Saturday night.
At a press conference after the meeting with leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Tokyo earlier in the day, Abe reiterated Japan’s call on China to rescind its ADIZ and said that he is “deeply concerned” over moves to unilaterally change the status quo in the East China and South China seas and moves to put restrictions on the international aviation order.
Abe said he believes “many ASEAN leaders share” his concern.
Hong stressed that China’s ADIZ does not affect the freedom of aviation, saying Japan’s “vilification” of China over the ADIZ issue is “doomed to failure.”
Kyodo News, December 15, 2013
http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20131215p2g00m0dm004000c.html
Japan keeps urging carriers to ignore China air zone: spokesman
TOKYO (Kyodo) — Japan continues to ask domestic airlines not to comply with Chinese rules requiring airlines to submit flight plans before flying in China’s new air defense zone which encompasses a group of Japanese-administered islets in the East China Sea, the top government spokesman said Monday.
“Our country’s position won’t change,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a press conference, underscoring Tokyo’s continued rejection of the air defense identification zone that Beijing announced about a week ago and that overlaps one already operated by Japan.
Suga was speaking after the United States effectively advised U.S. airlines on Friday to abide by the Chinese call for prior notification of foreign flights in the newly declared ADIZ.
That sign of concession by its main ally surprised officials in Japan, who still claimed there was no major breach between Washington and Tokyo over the issue.
“The U.S. government has made clear that it won’t accept the Chinese demand,” Suga said, apparently referring to the U.S. State Department having said its expectation that airlines would follow China’s aviation notice does not mean Washington’s acceptance of the requirements.
Abe earlier in the day reiterated Japan’s rejection of the establishment of the ADIZ by China, a unilateral act apparently aimed at bolstering its claim over the Senkaku Islands.
The prime minister said Japan will continue surveillance activities around the Senkaku chain. China and Taiwan claim the islets and call them Diaoyu and Tiaoyutai, respectively.
Meanwhile, Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera met with Britain’s Chief of the Naval Staff, Adm. George Zambellas, in Tokyo where Onodera asked for London’s cooperation in dealing with an increasingly assertive China.
Zambellas said Japan is a key partner of Britain and that the issue of the creation of the Chinese ADIZ should be settled in accordance with international law and dialogue, according to the Japanese Defense Ministry.
Kyodo News, December 2, 2013
http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20131202p2g00m0dm073000c.html
Abe, Biden vow Japan-U.S. coordination over China air zone
TOKYO (Kyodo) — Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and U.S. Vice President Joe Biden pledged on Tuesday further bilateral coordination over China’s newly declared air defense identification zone in the East China Sea that covers a group of disputed islands, but stopped short of calling for a revocation of the measure.
Abe told reporters after their meeting in Tokyo that they confirmed that the two countries should not tolerate China’s attempt to change the status quo “unilaterally by force.”
The two also agreed not to condone any action that would threaten the safety of civilian aircraft that transit the airspace without following China’s requirement to file flight plans with the country’s authorities. Beijing has warned about possible “defensive emergency measures” by the Chinese military if aircraft refuse to follow its instructions.
Japan has requested its commercial airlines not to submit their flight plans to Chinese authorities, but the United States has allowed its airlines to report their flight plans. The two did not refer to the differences in the carriers’ responses in their joint press announcement.
Biden, standing alongside the premier, called for “crisis management mechanisms” and “effective channels of communication” between Japan and China to reduce the risk of escalation, telling reporters that the risk of miscalculations and mistakes is “too high.”
Biden’s Asia trip, which will also take him to China and South Korea, comes amid doubts among Asian countries about the strength of the commitment by the administration of President Barack Obama to U.S. rebalancing toward Asia as China becomes increasingly willing to stake its territorial claims.
During the meeting, Abe conveyed to Biden Tokyo’s intention to seek a conclusion by year-end to the U.S.-led Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade pact negotiations by resolving outstanding issues through cooperation between Japan and the United States.
In connection with the talks, Biden told reporters that the two countries need a “comprehensive agreement” that addresses agriculture and automobiles, the two major sectors over which Tokyo and Washington have disagreements.
Abe and Biden also expressed their determination to realize the stalled relocation of a U.S. Marine Corps air base within Okinawa amid speculation that Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima may soon decide whether to authorize the landfill needed to build a replacement facility in a coastal area.
Biden said he and Obama are determined to implement “as quickly as possible” the so-called road map laying out the base relocation and other arrangements aimed at realigning U.S. forces in Japan in line with a bilateral agreement.
Also Tuesday, Biden discussed the Chinese move with Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso, Liberal Democratic Party Secretary General Shigeru Ishiba, the No. 2 man of Abe’s ruling party, and other lawmakers. He also held talks with Crown Prince Naruhito at the prince’s residence in the Akasaka Estate.
In connection with the Chinese air defense measure, a senior U.S. administration official said the United States is urging China not to establish a new air defense identification zone over “contested territory” without first consulting with those who would be affected.
China is believed to be preparing to set up a similar air defense zone in the South China Sea, where it is involved in maritime disputes with the Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries.
Biden, who arrived in Tokyo on Monday night, will visit China from Wednesday for talks with President Xi Jinping later that day. He will then visit South Korea for talks with President Park Geun Hye on Friday before returning to Washington.
Kyodo News, December 3, 2013
http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20131203p2g00m0dm079000c.html
Japan parliament adopts resolution urging China to scrap ADIZ
TOKYO (Kyodo) — Japan’s lower house of parliament on Friday unanimously adopted a resolution urging China to immediately rescind its recent establishment of an air defense identification zone over the East China Sea.
The resolution endorsed by the House of Representatives said the ADIZ, set by China on Nov. 23, significantly violates Japan’s territory and sovereignty. The ADIZ, demarcated over a wide swath of airspace over the sea, encompasses the Japan-controlled Senkaku Islands.
The House of Councillors is considering doing likewise following the passage of the resolution by the more powerful chamber, in which it also said the zone will further heighten tensions in the East China Sea and threaten peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.
The resolution called on China to listen to criticism from other countries and act reasonably as a member of the international community, including abolishing all measures that restrict the freedom of aviation over the high seas.
China’s Foreign Ministry criticized the Japanese lower house of parliament for passing the resolution and reiterated that its ADIZ is legitimate and in line with international common practices.
“Japan has no right to make irresponsible remarks,” ministry spokesman Hong Lei told a regular news conference in Beijing. “What Japan should be doing is to stop this kind of wrong actions and stop pestering and provoking.”
Kyodo News, December 6, 2013
http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20131206p2g00m0dm078000c.html
3 Chinese ships enter Japanese waters near Senkakus
NAHA (Kyodo) — Three Chinese coast guard ships entered Japanese waters for about three hours Sunday near the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea, the Japan Coast Guard said, amid bilateral tension fueled by Beijing’s recent establishment of an air defense identification zone covering airspace in the area.
The Haijing 2166, Haijing 2350 and Haijing 2506 sailed for about 60 kilometers in the waters after intruding around 9 a.m., it said.
It was the 72nd day in which Chinese government vessels have entered Japanese waters since Japan’s purchase in September last year of the main part of the uninhibited islet group, which is claimed by China. The last time was on Nov. 22.
Kyodo News, December 8, 2013
http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20131208p2g00m0in030000c.html
Japan, China trade barbs over controversial air defense zone
TOKYO/BEIJING (Kyodo) — Japan and China traded barbs Monday over Beijing’s establishment over the weekend of an air defense zone covering the Senkaku Islands in an attempt to stake its claim over the Japanese-administered islets in the East China Sea, with Tokyo and Washington agreeing to closely cooperate over the matter.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe criticized China’s “unilateral” action and vowed to safeguard Japan’s territory, saying, “We will take steps against an attempt to change the status quo by use of force as we are determined to defend the country’s sea and airspace.”
Abe also said China’s action “has no effect on our country,” referring to Beijing’s announcement Saturday of a set of rules that require aircraft flying in the air defense identification zone to identify themselves to Chinese authorities.
Later Monday, Vice Foreign Minister Akitaka Saiki summoned Chinese Ambassador to Japan Cheng Yonghua to the Foreign Ministry and lodged a “stern protest” over the setting up of an air defense identification zone that overlaps a similar zone operated by Japan.
Saiki demanded that China repeal the establishment of the air defense zone, but Beijing hit back.
Speaking to journalists after the talks, Cheng said he told Saiki that Japan should “retract such an unreasonable demand,” noting that the Chinese move is not aimed at a specific country and would not affect the nature of airspace for civilian aircraft.
But to prevent unpredictable events from happening as a result of the overlapping of the Japanese and Chinese air defense identification zones, Cheng said both sides “must take care to take measures.”
Calling Japan’s reaction “absolutely groundless and unacceptable,” Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Yang Yujun said earlier that Japan has “no right to make irresponsible remarks” on China’s setting up of the zone over the East China Sea, given that Tokyo established one of its own in the area in the late 1960s, according to the official Xinhua News Agency.
Late Monday afternoon, Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida and U.S. Ambassador to Japan Caroline Kennedy agreed in telephone talks that Tokyo and Washington should continue working closely together over the Chinese move, the Foreign Ministry said.
During the conversation, Kishida “highly appreciated” the U.S. response so far, which includes robust U.S. support for Japan over the matter, while Kennedy praised Tokyo’s swift response to the Chinese move, according to the ministry.
Speaking before a Diet committee on Monday, Kishida said China’s action poses “a concern” not just for Japan but other countries as well. “We, in cooperation with other countries, will urge China to exercise self-restraint.”
His remarks came after the United States threw its support behind Japan and criticized China, reiterating its stance that the Senkaku Islands are covered by the Japan-U.S. security treaty, which obligates the United States to respond to an armed attack on Japan.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said Japan will cooperate with the United States and other countries, and urge China to retract the decision that infringes on freedom to fly over international waters as guaranteed by international law.
“The zone includes the airspace over the Senkaku Islands, which is our inherent territory, and we cannot accept the fact that the area is treated as belonging to China,” the top government spokesman said at a press conference Monday.
Kyodo News, November 25, 2013
http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20131125p2g00m0dm027000c.html
Japan gov’t presses airlines to defy Chinese flight rules
TOKYO (Kyodo) — The government has stepped up its protest over China’s setting up of an air defense identification zone that overlaps one already operated by Japan over disputed islands, requesting airlines not to comply with Beijing’s new rules, officials said Tuesday.
In response, Japan Airlines Co. and All Nippon Airways Co. notified the transport ministry that they will stop following the new rules announced Saturday, under which they are required to submit their flight plans to Chinese authorities.
Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry spoke on the phone late Tuesday and shared their “strong concern” over China’s move.
They also agreed to cooperate closely over the matter and Kerry conveyed his support for Japan’s position to Kishida, Japanese officials said.
Also on Tuesday, Suga met with Evan Medeiros, senior director for Asian affairs at the U.S. National Security Council, at the prime minister’s office in Tokyo.
The two agreed that Japan and the United States will closely cooperate to address China’s move, with Medeiros telling the top government spokesman that Washington shares Tokyo’s concern, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said.
JAL and ANA have reported to China since Saturday and Sunday, respectively, regarding their flight plans to destinations such as Taiwan and Hong Kong, according to the airlines’ officials.
In establishing the air defense identification zone over a large part of the East China Sea, China has urged aircraft flying in the area to submit their flight plans to its Foreign Ministry or aviation authorities — suggesting military action may be taken should they fail to do so.
Japan has protested to China over what Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has called Beijing’s “unilateral” attempt “to change the status quo by use of force.”
On Tuesday, Chinese Ambassador to Japan Cheng Yonghua again justified Beijing’s establishment of the air defense zone by saying Japan’s zone extends close to “China’s front door,” and that “China must make due response.”
In a speech at Hiroshima University, Cheng also said that deteriorating Japan-China relations are a “situation that I don’t want to see,” adding the two Asian neighbors “should make efforts to seek chances for solving the (territorial) issue through dialogue.”
The Chinese zone includes the airspace over the Senkaku Islands, administered by Japan but claimed by China, which calls the uninhabited islets Diaoyu. The overlapping of the countries’ zones has stoked fears of potential unpredictable events, Japanese officials said.
Kyodo News, November 26, 2013
http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20131126p2g00m0dm065000c.html
U.S. criticizes zone move
WASHINGTON –The United States Monday reiterated its criticism of China’s declaration of an air defense identification zone over the East China Sea.
“This announcement from the Chinese government was unnecessarily inflammatory,”h White House spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters while aboard Air Force One en route to San Francisco.
Meanwhile, the U.S. won’t change its flight operations to comply with China’s newly claimed air-defense zone in the East China Sea, a Pentagon spokesman said.
“We will not in any way change how we conduct our operations,” Army Col. Steve Warren told reporters at the Pentagon Monday. U.S. pilots wonÅft register their flight plans or identify their transponder or frequency, Warren said.
Jiji Press, Bloomberg, November 27, 2013
http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0000826075
Japanese SDF aircraft fly in China’s air defense zone
TOKYO (Kyodo) — Japanese Self-Defense Forces aircraft have flown within China’s newly set air defense zone in recent days without notifying Beijing, but no response was detected, the government’s top spokesman said Thursday.
“Even after China set the air defense identification zone, we are conducting our surveillance activities as usual in the East China Sea, including the airspace concerned,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said at a press conference. “We haven’t detected any signs (of response from China).”
“We’ll continue to conduct warning and surveillance activities regardless of the new air defense zone” to protect Japan’s territory, Suga said.
The zone covers airspace above the Japan-controlled Senkaku Islands, which China claims as its territory.
After Suga’s remarks, China’s Defense Ministry said in Beijing it was able to effectively monitor the Japanese aircraft in the zone.
The ministry also said in a statement, “China is identifying aircraft of each country flying in the zone in a timely manner.”
Suga’s comments come as South Korea and the United States have also ignored China’s imposition Saturday of rules governing the defense zone above the East China Sea, with their military aircraft continuing to fly through the airspace without informing Beijing.
The Chinese instructions require aircraft passing through the zone to submit flight plans in advance, or they could be subject to unspecified “emergency defensive measures” by its armed forces.
The Chinese zone partially overlaps with those of Japan and South Korea, each of which has a long-running security alliance with the United States.
The three countries have criticized China’s decision to set up the air defense zone as a unilateral attempt to change the status quo in the East China Sea.
For nearly two weeks through Thursday, Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force and the U.S. Navy conducted regular naval exercises off the coast of Okinawa, involving around 15 Japanese and 10 U.S. vessels in addition to aircraft. Okinawa’s mainland is located around 400 kilometers away from the Senkakus.
Beijing has continued to send patrol aircraft and ships to areas around the Senkakus in protest against Tokyo’s purchase of three of the group’s five main islands from a Japanese private owner in September last year.
In a related move, Suga met with U.S. Ambassador to Japan Caroline Kennedy earlier Thursday and they agreed the two countries will closely cooperate in responding to China’s new air defense zone.
Kyodo News, November 28, 2013
http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20131128p2g00m0dm076000c.html
Japan, U.S. to up Senkaku surveillance
In response to China’s declaration of an air defense identification zone over the East China Sea that includes the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture, the Japanese and U.S. governments have confirmed that the Self-Defense Forces and U.S. forces will cooperate to strengthen warning and surveillance activities over the sea.
To block China’s move to change the status quo by force, which Japan and the United States consider to be an unacceptable unilateral action, the SDF plans to set up a new permanent unit of the Air-Self Defense ForceÅfs early-warning E-2C aircraft at Naha Base in the prefecture, and expand deployment of the Global Hawk high-altitude unmanned reconnaissance drone.
At a press conference Thursday, Shigeru Iwasaki, chief of the SDF Joint Staff, told reporters he spoke by videophone Wednesday with Adm. Samuel Locklear, commander of the U.S. Pacific Command.
“I was told that U.S. forces wouldn’t change their policy concerning warning and surveillance activities in the region [meaning they wouldn’t refrain from flying over the region]. It was a very close exchange of information,” Iwasaki said at the press conference.
Iwasaki and Locklear likely exchanged specific opinions on strengthening the warning and surveillance activities, according to the sources.
The SDF will launch “the second airborne warning and surveillance unit” at Naha Base in fiscal 2014, and will use some of the E-2C aircraft deployed at the ASDF’s Misawa Base in Aomori Prefecture, on a full-time mission for warning and surveillance in the East China Sea.
With these plans in mind, the Defense Ministry plans to include its policy to introduce a successor aircraft to the E-2C in fiscal 2015 in the new National Defense Program Guidelines the government will compile in December, and the midterm defense buildup program.
The successor aircraft to the E-2C could be a Boeing E-737 with a state-of-the-art on-board radar that can be refueled in the air, the sources said.
E-2C aircraft cannot be refueled in the air and can conduct warning and surveillance activities around the Senkaku Islands for only about four hours. The introduction of E-737s would make it possible for the SDF to conduct longer missions.
U.S. forces currently deploy the Global Hawk in Guam, which also conducts warning and surveillance activities around Japan. U.S. forces intend to deploy Global Hawk aircraft at U.S. Misawa Base as early as next spring to significantly increase warning and surveillance activities around Japan, including the Senkaku Islands.
The ASDF also intends to adopt the Global Hawk in fiscal 2015 to share information with U.S. forces and conduct effective warning and surveillance in and around Japan.
Developed by Northrop Grumman, the Global Hawk can spot a target on the ground through infrared sensors and other functions while flying at an altitude of more than 18,000 meters. It can keep on flying for more than 30 hours but does not have attack capability like the Predator and other unmanned reconnaissance aircraft.
Yomiuri Shimbun, November 29, 2013
http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0000834358
China scrambles fighters in new air defense zone
BEIJING (Kyodo) — China said Friday it scrambled fighters in response to flights by Japanese and U.S. military aircraft in its new air defense identification zone above the East China Sea.
Air force spokesman Shen Jinke said the scramble took place in the morning with Chinese fighters identifying 10 planes of Japan’s Self-Defense Forces, including the F-15 fighter, as well as two U.S. reconnaissance aircraft passing through the zone.
He did not, however, provide details on the scramble, such as how close the Chinese fighters approached the Japanese and U.S. aircraft.
It is the first time that China has announced the scrambling of fighters since it set up the zone last weekend.
It remains unclear, however, whether the Chinese air force was actually able to scramble its fighters this time. Japanese government officials said they had not confirmed the scramble.
“We’ve heard of reports (by Chinese official media), but we haven’t heard anything from the (Japanese) Defense Ministry,” a Japanese Foreign Ministry source said. “(The announcement) may be an attempt by Chinese authorities to appeal to public sentiment at home.”
Some military experts say China still lacks ability to effectively operate an air defense identification zone.
The Chinese spokesman said the air force will remain on high alert and will monitor all flight routes of foreign military aircraft in the zone.
Kyodo News, November 30, 2013
http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20131130p2g00m0dm010000c.html
Japan sees no ’peculiar’ developments after China ’scramble’: Onodera
TOKYO (Kyodo) — Japan has detected no “peculiar” developments since China’s announcement that it scrambled fighters in response to flights by Japanese and U.S. military aircraft in its new air defense identification zone above the East China Sea, Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera said Saturday.
“There have been no developments that we can announce as peculiar such as one where aircraft suddenly came close,” he told reporters, denying Beijing’s claim that it had scrambled fighters.
China said Friday the scramble took place in the morning with Chinese fighters identifying 10 planes of Japan’s Self-Defense Forces, including the F-15 fighter, as well as two U.S. reconnaissance aircraft passing through the zone.
Kyodo News, November 30, 2013
http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20131130p2g00m0in070000c.html
U.S.“urges airlines to notify China”
WASHINGTON (Jiji Press) – The U.S. government has decided to advise U.S. commercial airlines to give notices in advance to China of flights into ChinaÅfs newly declared air defense identification zone over the East China Sea, The New York Times reported Friday.
Meanwhile, the Department of State issued a statement that Washington Åggenerally expects that U.S. carriers operating internationally will operate consistent with NOTAMs [Notices to Airmen] issued by foreign countries.Åh
The stance differs from that of Japan, which has called on Japanese carriers not to give prior notices to China of flights in the air defense zone, which includes airspace over the Senkaku Islands.
The U.S. department said at the same time, however, that the U.S. governmentÅfs expectation that U.S. carriers will operate consistent with NOTAMs “does not indicate U.S. government acceptance of China’s requirements for operating in the newly declared ADIZ.”
Jiji Press, November 30, 2013
http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0000836951
China’s air zone backed by int’l community, top official tells Japan
BEIJING (Kyodo) — Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi has told a former Japanese foreign minister that the country’s recent establishment of an air defense zone over the East China Sea is “supported by the majority of the international community,” a source familiar with the matter said Saturday.
During a meeting with Koichiro Gemba in Beijing on Friday, Yang also rejected Japan’s demand that China rescind the so-called air defense identification zone as “beyond international common sense,” the source revealed on condition of anonymity.
Yang is the highest-ranking Chinese official to comment on the zone since it was established a week ago over a wide sea area that includes the Japan-controlled Senkaku Islands, with rules requiring all foreign aircraft to identify themselves and provide flight plans, or risk being subjected to unspecified “emergency defensive measures.”
Yang is in charge of China’s foreign policy as a member of the executive organ of the central government.
Japan and several other countries, including South Korea and the United States, have voiced strong opposition to the zone’s establishment, viewing it as a unilateral attempt to change the status quo in the East China Sea.
The European Union’s top representative for foreign affairs and security policy, Catherine Ashton, also released a statement on Thursday, saying Europe is “concerned to learn of China’s decision to establish” the zone, which partially overlaps with those of Japan and South Korea.
“This development heightens the risk of escalation and contributes to raising tensions in the region,” she said.
During the meeting with Gemba, Yang reiterated China’s position that the islands, which it calls Diaoyu, are part of its territory and that the zone is aimed at safeguarding state sovereignty and was set up in line with international common practices based on the “legitimate right of an independent country,” according to the source.
At China’s request, the meeting attended also by former Japanese government officials, was held completely behind closed doors.
In a meeting with Gemba and Japanese former and current officials on Wednesday, former Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan proposed setting up a similar mechanism for air, a person familiar with the matter said earlier.
Yang also expressed support for creating a bilateral risk management mechanism during his meeting with Gemba, the source said.
Kyodo News, December 1, 2013
http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20131201p2g00m0in039000c.html
Japan seeks ICAO’s involvement in tackling China’s air defense zone
TOKYO (Kyodo) — The Foreign Ministry said Saturday Tokyo has proposed that the International Civil Aviation Organization consider how to address the issue of China’s declaration of an air defense identification zone above the East China Sea.
Japan put forward the proposal on Friday in Canada at a meeting of the ICAO, a U.N. agency to promote the safe and orderly development of international civil aviation throughout the world, saying the Chinese move could threaten the order and safety of international civil aviation, according to the ministry.
Australia, Britain and the United States supported the proposal, but China reacted sharply against it.
Kyodo News, December 1, 2013
http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20131201p2g00m0in041000c.html
South Korea and US airlines on the Chinsese air defense zone
A South Korean government official said Sunday that Seoul has also urged its airlines not to submit their flight plans to Chinese authorities, meaning Japanese and South Korean carriers are approaching the issue of the air defense zone differently from U.S. airlines.
According to Reuters, three major U.S. airlines — United, American and Delta — “have notified Chinese authorities of flight plans when traveling through” the air defense zone, following the U.S. government advice.
“A spokesman for Delta Airlines said it had been complying with the Chinese requests for flight plans for the past week. American and United said separately that they were complying, but did not say for how long they had done so,” Reuters reported.
Kyodo News, December 1, 2013
http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20131201p2g00m0in059000c.html
China sets up air defense zone over Senkakus in E. China Sea
BEIJING (Kyodo) — China has established an air defense identification zone that overlaps Japan’s over the East China Sea, where small islands at the center of a fierce bilateral territorial row are located, prompting a swift protest from Tokyo.
Junichi Ihara, head of Asian affairs at the Japanese Foreign Ministry, made the protest by phone to Han Zhiqiang, minister at the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo, telling him the latest move will escalate tensions between the two countries and is “extremely dangerous as it could trigger unpredictable events,” according to the ministry.
The defense zone demarcated by China includes airspace over the Japan-controlled Senkaku Islands. The islands are claimed by China and Taiwan, which call them Diaoyu and Tiaoyutai, respectively.
China’s air force carried out its first air patrol hours after the establishment of the zone, which serves as national defense perimeters to judge whether fighters should be scrambled when foreign aircraft enter without prior notification.
Shen Jinke, spokesman for the People’s Liberation Army Air Force, was quoted by the state-run Xinhua News Agency as saying two large reconnaissance planes conducted the patrol mission, with early warning aircraft and fighters providing support and cover.
In Tokyo, the Japanese Defense Ministry said two Chinese planes entered Japan’s air defense identification zone, prompting the Air Self-Defense Force to scramble fighter aircraft.
The announcement of China’s Ministry of National Defense, carried by Xinhua, said the country’s “armed forces will adopt defensive emergency measures to respond to aircraft that do not cooperate in identification or refuse to follow instructions.”
The ministry said rules concerning the defense zone came into force at 10 a.m. Saturday.
Defense ministry spokesman Yang Yujun said establishment of the zone is aimed at “safeguarding state sovereignty, territorial land and air security, and maintaining flight order.”
“This is a necessary measure taken by China in exercising its self-defense right,” Yang said. “It is not directed against any specific country or target. It does not affect the freedom of over-flight in the related airspace.”
In Taipei, the Taiwan government on Saturday urged all claimants to exercise self-restraint, shelve differences and resolve the dispute peacefully, while reiterating its territorial claim over the Tiaoyutai Islands.
Taiwan’s National Security Council, which met Saturday afternoon, said in a statement that the country’s armed forces will “take proper action” to ensure the safety of the island’s air space.
The defense zone mapped out by China stretches from airspace south of the Korean Peninsula to north of Taiwan along with Japan’s Nansei Shoto Islands including the Senkakus.
The new rules said aircraft flying in the defense zone should report their flight plans to China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the country’s Civil Aviation Administration.
Among other points, the rules require that aircraft flying in the zone — which will be administrated by the defense ministry — clearly mark their nationalities and the logo of their registration identification in line with related international treaties.
Japan cannot oppose the Chinese decision as such zones can be established by each country in accordance with domestic law and there is no definite international rule governing them.
Kyodo News, November 24, 2013
http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20131124p2g00m0dm004000c.html
China objects to U.S. over sea defense zone remarks
BEIJING (AP) — China’s Foreign Ministry said it has complained to the United States over its “irresponsible remarks” about China’s drawing up of a sea air defense zone that includes disputed islands administered by Japan.
China’s Defense Ministry also called Japan’s objections to its East China Sea Air Defense Identification Zone “absolutely groundless and unacceptable” and said it had made solemn representations to the Japanese Embassy in Beijing.
Japan complained that China had escalated tensions over the small islands in the East China Sea that both countries claim, and potentially escalated the danger of accidental collisions between the two sides.
On Saturday, Beijing issued a map of the zone and a set of rules, which say all aircraft must notify Chinese authorities and are subject to emergency military measures if they do not identify themselves or obey Beijing’s orders.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said in a statement Sunday that the zone’s aim is to defend China’s sovereignty and the security of its airspace and land. He said it is not aimed at any country and it does not affect freedom of overflight.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel have both said the U.S. is “deeply concerned” about China’s unilateral action.
“This unilateral action constitutes an attempt to change the status quo in the East China Sea,” Kerry said in a statement released Saturday. “Escalatory action will only increase tensions in the region and create risks of an incident.”
Qin said China made solemn representations Sunday to U.S. Ambassador Gary Locke for the U.S. “to correct its mistakes and stop making irresponsible remarks on China.”
Defense Ministry spokesman Yang Yujun said the ministry had complained to the U.S. Embassy’s military attache on Sunday evening.
The U.S. doesn’t take a position on who has sovereignty over the islands — called Diaoyu in Chinese and Senkaku in Japanese — but recognizes they are under Japanese administration.
Associated Press, November 25, 2013
http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20131125p2g00m0in030000c.html
Kishida dismisses China’s air defense zone over Senkakus
FUCHU, Japan (Kyodo) — Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida said Sunday that Japan does not acknowledge China’s establishment of an air defense identification zone over the Japan-controlled Senkaku islets group.
“It was a one-sided action and cannot be allowed. It’s also expected to trigger unpredictable events,” he told reporters in Fuchu, western Tokyo, a day after Beijing set up the zone.
The defense zone demarcated by China includes airspace over the Japan-controlled Senkaku Islands. The islands are claimed by China and Taiwan, which call them Diaoyu and Tiaoyutai, respectively.
The Japanese Defense Ministry said Saturday two Chinese planes entered Japan’s air defense identification zone, prompting the Air Self-Defense Force to scramble fighter aircraft.
Although Japan lodged a strong protest with China on Saturday over the zone’s establishment, Kishida said Tokyo is considering making a protest at a higher level apparently including one by himself.
Kishida also welcomed the United States having conveyed its “strong concerns” to China over the zone issue.
Kyodo News, November 25, 2013
http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20131125p2g00m0dm027000c.html
Japan, S. Korea, China to hold senior officials’ talks on Thurs.
TOKYO (Kyodo) — Senior diplomats from Japan, South Korea and China will hold talks Thursday in Seoul, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said Tuesday, apparently to discuss the possibility of a trilateral summit by the end of this year.
Japanese Deputy Foreign Minister Shinsuke Sugiyama will meet with South Korean Deputy Foreign Minister Lee Kyung Soo and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin amid speculation that the three countries are finding it difficult to arrange a summit due to Japan’s soured relations with the two countries.
Sugiyama may hold separate talks with Lee and Liu, according to diplomatic sources.
South Korea initially planned to host a trilateral summit in May, but it was put off due to China’s unwillingness to hold such talks amid tensions over the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea, administered by Japan but claimed by China and Taiwan.
A summit would bring together Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, South Korean President Park Geun Hye and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.
China has said it will not hold a summit or other high-level talks with Japan unless it recognizes there is a “territorial dispute” over the uninhabited islet chain, known as Diaoyu in China and Tiaoyutai in Taiwan.
South Korea’s ties with Japan have become frostier over their differing interpretations of wartime history and a dispute over the sovereignty of a South Korean-controlled group of islets in the Sea of Japan, called Takeshima in Japan and Dokdo in South Korea.
In an interview with the BBC broadcast Monday, Park ruled out a summit with Abe, accusing Japan of not changing its position on wartime history regarding South Korea.
Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida said Tuesday that it is “very sad” that Park “still expresses concern” about what South Korea sees as Japan’s inaction in resolving the issue of mostly Korean women who were forced to provide sex at brothels during World War II, euphemistically known in Japan as comfort women.
“We have been explaining carefully our country’s position and efforts over the comfort women issue,” Kishida told reporters, adding that Tokyo will continue to explain them steadily.
The meeting of senior officials has been held seven times since leaders from the three neighboring countries agreed to launch the dialogue at a trilateral summit in January 2007. Trilateral summits have been held every year since 2008.
Kyodo News, November 5, 2013
http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20131105p2g00m0dm067000c.html
China mulls setting up air defense identification zone
TOKYO (Kyodo) — The Chinese People’s Liberation Army is considering setting up an air defense identification zone (ADIZ) that would overlap with Japan’s over the East China Sea, a move that is likely to heighten tensions between the countries, according to an internal Chinese military document.
An ADIZ serves as a national defense perimeter that triggers fighter scrambles when foreign aircraft enter the zone without prior notification.
The zones are set up outside national airspace to prevent incursions by suspicious aircraft.
China has not defined an ADIZ to date. If the country were to establish such a zone, it would be certain to overlap with Japan’s as a major part of the Japanese ADIZ over the East China Sea has been set closer to China than the median line, which lies at an equal distance from the two countries.
The internal document obtained by Kyodo News shows that a Beijing-based senior air force official proposed strengthening the nation’s air defense operations by setting up a Chinese ADIZ, saying neighboring countries “are insisting the validity of marine boundaries disadvantageous to our country.”
The official also argued that China cannot control its maritime resources effectively without an ADIZ, according to the document.
The move comes at a time when an increasing number of Chinese aircraft have been approaching Japanese airspace since the Japanese government’s purchase of part of the disputed Senkaku island group in the East China Sea from a private Japanese owner in September last year.
An airplane of the Chinese State Oceanic Administration entered Japanese airspace over the islets in December in the first such intrusion in Japan.
Japan cannot oppose the move as such zones are set up by countries based on domestic law and there are no international rules concerning them.
Kyodo News, November 10, 2013
http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20131110p2a00m0na011000c.html
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