On Saturday the Chinese Ministry of Defense announced that it had created an "air defence zone" over the Senkaku islands which are administered by Japan and have been since the 19th century.
China had no interest in these rocks until the possibility of gas and other natural resources might exist in the sea around the islands was announced in the early 1970's. Even with that announcement China still showed little interest in the Senkakus until the Japanese government purchased three of the islands from their private owner. Suddenly all hell broke loose and the Chinese decided that those rocks were an integral part of China. Like everything else in the East and South China seas.
These territorial disputes are driving countries in the region to seek out the United States as an ally for fear that China's growing assertiveness could lead to armed conflict.
As this dispute escalates with this announcement putting further pressure and both countries armed forces. What's to keep it from spiraling out of control because of a miscalculation by either sides military believing they defending their countries sovereign territory.
Announcement of the Aircraft Identification Rules for the East China Sea Air Defense Identification Zone of PRC
China had no interest in these rocks until the possibility of gas and other natural resources might exist in the sea around the islands was announced in the early 1970's. Even with that announcement China still showed little interest in the Senkakus until the Japanese government purchased three of the islands from their private owner. Suddenly all hell broke loose and the Chinese decided that those rocks were an integral part of China. Like everything else in the East and South China seas.
These territorial disputes are driving countries in the region to seek out the United States as an ally for fear that China's growing assertiveness could lead to armed conflict.
China's Defence Ministry said aircraft entering the zone must obey its rules or face "emergency defensive measures".
The zone came into effect from 10:00 local time (02:00GMT) on Saturday.
The islands, known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China, are a source of rising tension between the countries.
In its statement, the Defence Ministry said aircraft must report a flight plan, "maintain two-way radio communications", and "respond in a timely and accurate manner" to identification inquiries.
"China's armed forces will adopt defensive emergency measures to respond to aircraft that do not co-operate in the identification or refuse to follow the instructions," said the statement.
A map posted on Twitter by state news agency Xinhua showed the zone covering a wide area of the East China Sea, including regions very close to South Korea and Japan.
As this dispute escalates with this announcement putting further pressure and both countries armed forces. What's to keep it from spiraling out of control because of a miscalculation by either sides military believing they defending their countries sovereign territory.
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