Sat, May 31, 2014
Tensions Growing Over Disputed Area Over The East China Sea
The United States has told China it needs to "work with other countries to establish confidence-building measures, including emergency communications channels, which can address dangers and lower tensions," in response to recent incidents in disputed airspace over the South China Sea.
The remarks came from State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki in a prepared statement. Psaki said that the U.S. government hopes all states will "ensure that they respect the safety of aircraft in flight," but "We do not accept China's declaration of an ADIZ (Air Defense Identification Zone) over the East China Sea and urge China not to implement it," she said.
The French news service AFP reports that the most recent incident involved a Chinese fighter that flew within 100 feet of a Japanese OP-3C surveillance plane in the disputed airspace. Japanese defense officials say that another SU-27 flew to within about 150 feet of a Japanese plane.
China tells the story from its perspective, saying two Japanese F-15s got too close to a Chinese Y-8 transport plane on November 23.
The disputed area is over islands controlled by Tokyo but also claimed by China. They are known as Senkaku by Japan and Daiohu in China. Beijing in November declared the airspace an ADIZ. Japan also has established an ADIZ in the same airspace.
Psaki said air safety is the responsibility of both countries. "Any attempt to interfere with freedom of overflight in international airspace raises regional tensions and increases the risk of miscalculation, confrontation, and unintended incidents," she said in the statement.
More News
With Testing Soon Complete, Launch Preparations Begin in Earnest Sierra Space's Dream Chaser has been put through the wringer at NASA's Glenn Armstrong Test Facility in Ohio, but w>[...]
Takeoff Roll The process whereby an aircraft is aligned with the runway centerline and the aircraft is moving with the intent to take off. For helicopters, this pertains to the act>[...]
“We’re proud of the hard work that went into receiving this validation, and it will be a welcome relief to our customers in the European Union. We couldn’t be mor>[...]
"Aircraft Spruce is pleased to announce the acquisition of the parts distribution operations of Wag-Aero. Wag-Aero was founded in the 1960’s by Dick and Bobbie Wagner in the >[...]
IDENT Feature The special feature in the Air Traffic Control Radar Beacon System (ATCRBS) equipment. It is used to immediately distinguish one displayed beacon target from other be>[...]