Beijing dismisses ADIZ plan as Tokyo ploy

From the Daily Tribune (Feb 3): Beijing dismisses ADIZ plan as Tokyo ploy

The Chinese government shrugged off a Japanese news article about its plan to replicate an air defense indentification zone (ADIZ) it set up on the East China Sea in the more contentious South China Sea accusing Japan of heightening regional tensions with “rumors.”

Foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei said right-wing forces in Japan had repeatedly made such allegations with the intention of shifting international attention from the “plot” to change Japan’s pacifist constitution, the official Xinhua news agency reported.

“We sternly warned these forces not to mislead public opinions with rumors and play up tensions for their own selfish benefit,” he said in a press release Saturday quoted by Xinhua.

Japan’s Asahi Shimbun daily reported Friday that Chinese air force officials have drafted proposals for a new ADIZ that could place the Paracel Islands, claimed by both China and Vietnam, at its core whil encompassing most of the South China Sea, including the Spratly Islands, which are being disputed by China and other Southeast Asian countries including the Philippines.

The US warned Beijing against such a move, with the State Department saying Saturday that it would be seen “as a provocative and unilateral act that would raise tensions and call into serious question China’s commitment to diplomatically managing territorial disputes.”

The US stressed that the rumors were “unconfirmed,” however.

In response, Hong said China had the right to adopt all measures, including setting up air defense zones, to safeguard national security, according to Xinhua.

Beijing claims the South China Sea almost in its entirety, even areas a long way from its shoreline.

Late last year, it caused a storm when it abruptly declared an ADIZ above the East China Sea, including islands at the heart of a sovereignty row with Tokyo.

Three Chinese ships sailed through the disputed waters in the East China Sea on Sunday as diplomatic tension between Tokyo and Beijing intensifies.

Taiwan, the Philippines, Brunei and Malaysia all have rival claims to parts of the South China Sea, while Washington is also watching Beijing’s increased assertiveness.

China has occupied the Paracels since a battle with South Vietnamese forces in 1974. It is a cluster of about 40 islets, sandbanks and reefs.

“In a general view, the Chinese side has yet to feel any air security threat from the Association of Southeast Asia Nations (Asean) countries and is optimistic about its relations with the neighboring countries and the general situation in the South China Sea region,” Hong said.

Hong stressed that China and the Asean shares a bright future for their relations.

He said China and the Asean countries are working together to implement the declaration on the conduct of parties in the South China Sea in a comprehensive and effective way to safeguard peace and stability in the region.

In response to reports about US officials’ comments on the issue, Hong said China hopes the relevant parties remain cautious about their words and deeds, maintain a calm and objective stance, make joint efforts with China and make concrete contribution to peace, stability and security in the air and on sea of the region.

Hong said China, as a sovereign country, has all the legitimate rights to adopt all measures, including setting up ADIZ, to safeguard national security in response to the situation of air security. No one should make irresponsible comments on this, Hong said.      

http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/beijing-dismisses-adiz-plan-as-tokyo-ploy