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.

FMI: www.state.gov