The state media in China urged for appropriate measures without any hesitation if Japan tries to disregard the newly-declared air zone of the country on November 29, 2013. The most recent development saw Beijing sending fighter jets to patrol the area after Tokyo made defiant military overflights.
Meanwhile, South Korea and Japan stated on November 28, 2013 that they paid no attention to the air defense identification zone which was declared by Beijing last weekend. The zone also includes disputed islands which are claimed by China and are known as the Diaoyus, but are controlled by Japan and known as the Senkakus. A news agency reported that China sent fighter jets, in addition to an early warning aircraft into the area on November 28, 2013.
The jets were sent after Tokyo announced that its coastguard and military had flown through it. Meanwhile, Washington has security alliances with Seoul, as well as Tokyo. Analysts have said that neither Japan nor China want to engage in armed dispute. At the same time, Beijing is dealing with increased internal pressure to assert itself.
Tokyo denied that there is a conflict over the islands and the Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga refused to be drawn on reports that a Chinese envoy is thinking of setting up a mechanism in order to prevent mid-air incidents.
Photo Credits: CS Monitor
