China says U.S. should respect its air defence zone

China declared the zone, in which aircraft are supposed to identify themselves to Chinese authorities, in the East China Sea in 2013, which the U.S. and Japan have refused to recognise.

CNN, citing the U.S. Pacific Air Forces, said the B-1 bomber was flying near South Korea on Sunday, and that its pilots responded to Chinese air traffic controllers saying they were carrying out routine operations in international airspace, and that the aircraft did not deviate from its flight path.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said she had not heard of the matter, and referred questions to the Defense Ministry, which did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

“But, generally speaking, I hope that in this region all countries’ actions consider the security concerns of relevant countries and be beneficial for mutual trust, peace and stability between countries,” Hua told a daily news briefing.

“The U.S. has its own ADIZs. I think if this matter is true, they should respect China’s relevant ADIZ rights,” she added, without elaborating.

NAN reports that the ADIZ is airspace over land or water in which the ready identification, location, and control of civil aircraft over land or water is required in the interest of national security.

China’s Defence Ministry announced its ADIZ over a vast area in the East China Sea on Nov. 23, 2013, which covers the area around the Diaoyu islands, controlled by Japan and known as the Senkaku Islands.

The establishment of the zone draws strong opposition from Japan, the U.S. and South Korea, becoming a flashpoint in East Asian politics and security. (Reuters