Re: China Pawned Own Self! Kena challenge on new air defense zone by US, quickly fold
By Alex Spillius, Diplomatic Correspondent
5:20PM GMT 28 Nov 2013
China has dispatched war planes to a newly declared air defence zone over the East China Sea, according to reports.
Xinhua, the state news agency, quoted an air force colonel as saying the aircraft had carried out “routine patrols” of the zone, which covers nearly one million square miles of airspace.
If confirmed, the move would dramatically escalate tensions already running high after the United States, Japan and South Korea all ignored the declaration, which was made at the weekend.
China had insisted that any planes traversing the area should submit flight plans or face “emergency defensive measures”.
Washington responded by sending in two unarmed B52 bombers into the zone on Tuesday, while Japan and South Korea yesterday flew military aircraft into the area in defiance of Beijing.
"America is not our direct enemy, and South Korea is our friend. But Japanese armed aircraft would be a different story. If they dare to come into China's declared zone, the Chinese air force will take action."
China announced the zone at the weekend, prompting criticism from Japan and the US. Some experts said it was aimed not only at chipping away at Tokyo's control of disputed islands known as the Senkaku in Japan and the Diaoyu in China, but also at challenging US dominance in the region. On Tuesday the US flew two unarmed B-52 bombers over the islands without informing Beijing.