US Bombers Enter East China Sea Zone Amid Chinese Declaration

US Bombers Enter East China Sea Zone Amid Chinese Declaration

The declaration of China of an airspace defense zone in the East China Sea was challenged by a training mission conducted by a pair of US B-52 bombers. The Pentagon revealed that there was no response from China with the flight of the two unarmed bombers.

In addition, the two biggest airlines in Japan will stop providing flight plans to Chinese authorities when they go through the zone after a request from the Japanese government. The zone covers the uninhabited islands claimed by both China and Japan.

The coordinates for the East China Sea Air Defense Identification Zone were published by China over the weekend. China indicated that defensive emergency measures will be implemented against aircraft that do not identify themselves while in the airspace.

The flight of the two bombers, which was planned prior to the announcement of China, appeared to indicate that the US was not hiding its intentions and revealed that China may not be capable of protecting the zone for the moment. However, it may be possible that China was surprised by the move and may alter its approach.

A number of experts indicated that the move of China may aim reduce the administrative control of Japan over the area.

Although the United States is not taking any position on the sovereignty over the uninhabited islands, it acknowledges the administrative authority of Japan over the islands along the East China Sea. Colonel Steve Warren revealed that the US Air Force was following standard procedures when the two bombers flew over the area.

Warren added that the two B-52 bombers were not monitored or contacted by any aircraft from China.

The rules set by China required aircraft flying over the area to provide flight plans, reply to identification inquiries and maintain radio contact. The declaration of China was criticized by Japan and the United States. Protests were lodged by the Defense Ministry of China over the criticism of the two countries over the zone.

Although the East China Sea Air Defense Identification Zone was outside the territorial airspace of China, the Defense Ministry of China indicated it was based on common international practices.

Posted by James Fried on Thursday November 28 2013, 2:15 AM EST. Ref: Reuters. Link. All trademarks acknowledged. Filed under Featured News, World. Comments and Trackbacks closed. Follow responses: RSS 2.0