China, US in military stand-off

On November 23, China threw fuel on the diplomatic fire that has been growing between it and Japan all year. It declared a new "Air Defence Identification Zone” over a broad swathe of the East China Sea. This happens to include the air over the islands Japan considers its own.

Chinese authorities have said any intruding aircraft are subject to \"emergency military measures\" if they do not identify themselves or obey Beijing's orders

The unarmed US bombers took off from Guam yesterday as part of a \"previously scheduled\" and "routine exercise” in the area, the defence officials said.

``Last night we conducted a training exercise that was long-planned. It involved two aircraft flying from Guam and retuing to Guam,'' Pentagon spokesman Colonel Steven Warren told reporters.

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) destroyer Kurama leads other vessels during a fleet review in Sagami Bay, south of Tokyo. Japanese and Chinese naval vessels have been playing an escalating game of bluff in disputed waters for several months.

No flight plan was submitted beforehand to the Chinese and the mission went ahead ``without incident,'' with the two aircraft spending ``less than an hour'' in the unilaterally-declared Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ), Warren said.

It is just the latest escalation. In the past year, more and more research vessels and – more ominously – warships have been deliberately sent into the disputed zone.

In recent months, more and more research vessels and – more ominously – warships have been deliberately sent into the disputed zone.

Japan suddenly "nationalised” the Senkaku islands in September. It was an open declaration that Japan considered the islands part of its "mainland” and would not tolerate any continued claims.

What's the fuss? The tiny and somewhat featureless Senkaku/Diaoyou island chain holds is at the centre of a territorial dispute by Japan and China because of nearby gas reserves. Picture: Google

China was incensed. It immediately cancelled all official visits and imposed boycotts on Japanese products. It also sent ships and planes to the islands in a show of force.

In response, Japan mobilised vessels and aircraft, raising fears the tensions could trigger an accidental clash.

China's newly expanded air defense zone is just the latest development. The zone also includes waters claimed by Taiwan and South Korea, which also have both expressed their displeasure at Beijing's move.

Now the United States has waded into the diplomatic game of high-stakes poker.

The PLAN Qingdao from China enters the Harbour in Sydney, as a visitor during the Inteational Fleet Review earlier this year.

A US defense official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed to AFP the two planes were B-52 bombers.

Under the rules unilaterally declared by China, aircraft are expected to provide a flight plan, clearly mark their nationality and maintain two-way radio communication to allow them to respond to identification inquiries from Chinese authorities.

Japan, the United States and several other govements sharply criticized China's move.

Australia earlier this week summoned Beijing's ambassador to express its opposition and Tokyo called on airlines to refuse to accept China's demands to abide by new rules when flying into the zone.

A B-52 bomber drops bombs and flares during a training exercise: Picture US Department of Defence

Pentagon officials said the United States views the area as inteational air space and American military aircraft would operate in the zone as before without submitting flight plans to China in advance.

Without taking sides in the territorial feud, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon meanwhile called on China and Japan to negotiate an end to their dispute.
Ban on Tuesday said tensions should be handled ``amicably through dialogue and negotiations.''