Air defense identification zone?防空識別區 (fang kong shi bie qu)

The Ministry of National Defense has announced that China has established its first air defense identification zone (ADIZ) over the East China Sea. With the aim of guarding China's sovereignty, the East China Sea ADIZ conforms to China's laws, as well as international laws and practices. The zone allows China to identify, monitor and take timely defensive measures against air threats and unknown flying objects entering its airspace.

ADIZ is not a new practice that China has initiated. Several maritime nations set up their ADIZs way back in the 1950s. In fact, more than 20 countries, including the United States, Canada, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the Philippines and Vietnam, have established ADIZs.

Given the common international practice, China has the legitimate right as a sovereign state to set up its ADIZ with the aim of protecting its territory and airspace. China's ADIZ will not affect normal international flights; they can still enter and cross the zone. "It has no particular target and will not affect the freedom of flights in relevant airspace", Yang Yujun, the Defense Ministry spokesman, said recently in response to questions from the media.

The statement issued by the Ministry of National Defense stipulates the Aircraft Identification Rules for China's East China Sea ADIZ is in line with international practice.

(China Daily 11/29/2013 page9)