The East Sea Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ, ) is an air defense identification zone issued by the People's Liberation Army covering most of the East China Sea where the People's Republic of China announced that it was introducing new air traffic restrictions in November 2013. The area consists of the airspace from about, and including, the Japanese controlled Senkaku Islands (which are known as the Diaoyu Islands in mainland China and are claimed by mainland China as well as Taiwan) north to South Korean-claimed Socotra Rock (known as Suyan Jiao in China). About half of the area overlaps with a Japanese ADIZ, while also overlapping to a small extent with the South Korean and Taiwanese ADIZ. When introduced the Chinese initiative drew criticism as the ADIZ overlapped with the ADIZ of other countries, imposed requirements on both civilian and military aircraft regardless of destination,Rick Gladstone and Matthew L. Wald (27 November 2013), China’s Move Puts Airspace in Spotlight The New York Times. and included contested maritime areas.James Fallows (27 November 2013), (More on This Strange Chinese ADIZ: 'Sovereign Is as Sovereign Does' The Atlantic.Jane Perlez (27 November 2013), China Explains Handling of B-52 Flight as Tensions Escalate The New York Times.

History The first ADIZ was established by the United States in 1950 when it created a joint North American ADIZ with Canada, citing the legal right of a nation to establish reasonable conditions of entry into its territory. The U.S. does not apply its ADIZ procedures to foreign aircraft not intending to enter U.S. airspace and does not recognize the right of a coastal nation to apply its ADIZ procedures to foreign aircraft not intending to enter their national airspace."Entering, Exiting and Flying in United States Airspace" Federal Aviation Administration 14 June 2013.

South Korea's ADIZ was established in 1951 during the Korean War by the United States Air Force. It currently does not cover Socotra Rock, known to Koreans as Ieodo. Korean Defence Minister Kim Kwan-jin said that South Korea would consider extending its ADIZ in light of the extent of the Chinese ADIZChina’s aerial ambitions deepen territorial tensions The Korea Herald 26 November 2013. but an announcement of a change was postponed after a meeting with the United States ambassador.

Japan's ADIZ was established in 1969, which covers most of its exclusive economic zone. Japan makes no demands on aircraft flying through, unless they are landing in Japan. The ADIZ was revised in the same year that the U.S.-Japan Okinawa Reversion Treaty provided for the return of the Ryukyu Islands and the Daitō Islands to Japan in 1972. Japan's ADIZ was created by the United States Armed Forces during the post-WWII Allied occupation, with the western border at 123° degrees east. This resulted in only the eastern half of Yonaguni Island being part of Japan's ADIZ and the western half being part of Taiwan's ADIZ. On 25 June 2010, Japan extended its ADIZ around Yonaguni 22 km westwards. This led to an overlapping with sections of Taiwan's ADIZ. However, Taiwanese foreign affairs officials said that it does not make any difference, as an understanding has been reached between the two parties on how to handle it. According to China Network Television on 24 November 2013, China and Russia do not recognize Japan's ADIZ.

The People's Republic of China announced the establishment of what it called its East China Sea Air Defense Identification Zone on 23 November 2013 defining an ADIZ as a zone that allowed a coastal state to "identify, monitor, control and react to aircraft entering this zone with potential air threats."Defense Spokesman Yang Yujun’s Response to Questions on the Establishment of The East China Sea Air Defense Identification Zone Ministry of National Defense 23 November 2013. Despite several international protests, China's move received broad domestic support.

According to a 2011 study of the justifications for establishing an ADIZ, at that time there had not yet been a "recorded instance of protest" against the initial establishment of an ADIZ.

The Chinese Air Force Command Academy began planning for an ADIZ after the Hainan Island incident and in May 2013 had suggested an ADIZ that covered China's exclusive economic zone, but this was expanded during review by the PLA to the current area.

On 25 July 2015, Lao Airlines flight QV916 was turned back by the Chinese. The Chinese MoD has said that the aircraft was prevented from entering Chinese territory due to an inadequate flight plan, and that the incident had nothing to do with the ADIZ.

Administration and monitoring operations

Identification rules

According to the Chinese Ministry of National Defense, foreign aircraft in the zone will be expected to abide by the following:

Identification of flight plan. Any aircraft in the zone must report its flight plan to China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Civil Aviation Administration. Radio identification. Aircraft in the zone must maintain two-way radio communication and respond in a timely and accurate manner to inquiries Responder identification. Any aircraft with an Air Traffic Control Radar Beacon System transponder must keep it on during the aircraft's time in the zone Sign identification. Any aircraft in the zone must display insignia indicating its nationality and registration clearly, in accordance with international treaties Aircraft in the zone should follow instructions. The Chinese military will adopt "emergency defensive measures" in response to aircraft that refuse to follow the instructions.

China announced that the rules were in effect from 10 am on 23 November 2013 Beijing time.

On 26 November the state-controlled People's Daily said that while "freedom of flight" would be respected for "normal" flights, the principle would not apply to "provocative flyover and surveillance activities."Air defense ID zone to deter those with designs on China's territory People's Daily 26 November 2013. On 29 November a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman replied to the statement, "You referred many times to ADIZs established by other countries, but there is a difference. For example, an aircraft which is passing through the US ADIZ without entering the sovereign US airspace does not have to notify US authorities," by stating that "different countries have set different rules."Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Qin Gang's Regular Press Conference Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China 29 November 2013.

International reaction Japan The weeks prior to the ADIZ announcement, Japanese media complained that Chinese journalists had been ordered to not make any concessionary comments regarding China's territorial claims.All Chinese journalists ordered to censor supportive stances toward Japan Kyodo News 20 October 2013.

Promptly after the announcement, Japan Air Self-Defense Force sent two F-15 fighter jets to intercept two Chinese aircraft entering the air zone nearby the Senkaku Islands, which is included in the newly announced Chinese ADIZ.

On 25 November, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said the measures one-sidedly imposed rules set by the Chinese military on all flights in the zone, and violate the freedom to fly above open sea, a general principle under the international law, "the measures by the Chinese side have no validity whatsoever on Japan, and we demand China revoke any measures that could infringe upon the freedom of flight in international airspace. It can invite an unexpected occurrence and it is a very dangerous thing as well." He denounced China's declaration as a dangerous attempt to change the status quo in the East China Sea through coercion, vowed to protect Japan's air and sea space, and demanded that Beijing "revoke any measures that could infringe upon the freedom of flight in international airspace".Japan's PM demands China revoke claim to air zone over disputed islands , The Guardian.

Tokyo brought the matter to the International Civil Aviation Organization, a U.N. agency to promote the safe and orderly development of international civil aviation throughout the world. Australia, Britain and the United States supported Japan's proposal, but China reacted sharply against the proposal. Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida stated that Japan would coordinate closely with the United States, the ROK, and others on demanding a revocation of the ADIZ measures,China's Air Defense Identification Zone: Impact on Regional Security . while describing China as "engaging in profoundly dangerous acts that unilaterally change the status quo".U.S. to Continue Flights in Defense Zone Claimed by China . Japanese Defence Minister Itsunori Onodera said that "it's important for both sides to take a calm approach and deal with the situation according to international norms."East China Sea tensions prompt caution from U.S. airlines . He also denied Beijing's claim that it scrambled fighter jets in response to Self-Defense Forces aircraft that had entered China's new air defense identification zone, saying "there have been no abnormal situations, such as (Chinese) aircraft suddenly approaching (SDF planes in the ADIZ), as announced by China yesterday". A Japanese official described the Chinese report is a "sheer fabricated story".No Chinese jets scrambled: Japan .

South Korea South Korea summoned a Chinese diplomat on 25 November to protest the creation of the zone, which includes Korean-claimed Socotra Rock where Korea has built structures.China Hit with Complaints Over Maritime Air Defense Zone Voice of America 25 November 2013. Sources said that Seoul was informed in advance of Chinese plans, however, as Chinese officials stated that with respect to South Korea, "the two sides will solve the issue through friendly consultations and negotiations".China informed Seoul of air defense zone The Korea Herald 25 November 2013. South Korea's Ministry of Transport said its airlines would not recognize the Chinese ADIZ. The Koreans said they had launched a joint air and sea military exercise on 3 December to show their "intention to protect our jurisdiction over Ieodo’s waters".Jeong Yong-Soo and Sarah Kim, Korean Navy conducts drill close to Ieodo Korea JoongAng Daily 4 December 2013. South Korea then extended their own ADIZ over the disputed waters.

Taiwan

Although the ADIZ announced by Beijing overlaps by a relatively small 23 000 square kilometers with the identification zone of Taiwan (Republic of China),Taiwan's military on top of regional developments: MND Channel NewsAsia:Focus Taiwan 27 November 2013.Air Force officials pinpoint ADIZ overlap with China Channel NewsAsia:Focus Taiwan 27 November 2013. official reaction from Taipei was initially muted, leading to protests from the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and some academics that President Ma Ying-jeou's government was failing to assert Taiwan's sovereignty.Shih Hsiu-chuan (28 November 2013), ADIZ response a sign of surrender: academic Taipei Times.Air defense zone in line with cross-Strait interests: Spokeswoman Xinhua 27 November 2013. On 29 November caucus leaders of both the DPP and ruling KMT party signed a joint statement calling on President Ma's administration to lodge a "stern protest" with Beijing. Associated Press 29 November 2013. On 1 December, the 70th anniversary of the Cairo Declaration, Ma reasserted Taiwan's claim to the Diaoyutai islands and called on affected governments to peacefully negotiate and pursue the "East China Sea Peace Initiative" he had proposed the previous year.

United States