The USS Shiloh, a
guided-missile cruiser, leads U.S. Navy and
Japanese Self-Defense Force ships assigned to aircraft
carrier
USS George Washington, South China Sea: Does China's
dispute with Japan about islets really threaten U.S. interests?
American Claims About Air Defense Zone 'Ridiculous' (Global
Times, China)
According to this column by Luo Yuan of China Strategy Culture
Promotion Association, China's new East China Sea Air Defense Identification
Zone is for the purposes of preventing mishaps and confusion. In this column
from China's state-run Global Times, Luo Yuan is baffled as to why the announcement
has had the opposite effect, and calls American complaints that it threatens
U.S. interests 'ridiculous.'
The
Chinese Defense Ministry issued a statement Saturday on the creation of the
East China Sea Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). This action complies
with China's laws and has precedents under international law.
According
to Chinese law, China's military forces are entitled to defend the nation's
sovereignty and territorial integrity. In the 1950s and 60s, the U.S. and Japan
established their own ADIZs, and so far, more than 20 countries have followed suit.
The
U.S. has also extended the frontlines of its own ADIZ beyond the borders of other
countries. Meanwhile, Japan's ADIZ extends to just 80 miles from China's
mainland. There is no reason the Chinese Army should be exempt from
establishing such a firewall to defend the nation's legitimate interests.
Establishing
an ADIZ is not for the purpose of causing crisis. By creating a precautionary
system, the idea is to prevent them. It should be noted that the principle of
crisis prevention is to clarify the margins of interests, thereby informing
both sides of the limitations of certain curses of action.
It
provides an early warning mechanism about unexpected visitors, especially
provocative intruders. It will buy the defenders enough time to deal with any threat
and to prepare for any possible scenario.
Therefore,
ADIZs are not established to intensify conflict; they are there as a relief
valve, simplifying complicated issues, clarifying ambiguous interest boundaries,
and reduce misjudgment and accidental casualties.
China's
establishment of an ADIZ in the East China Sea is a response forced upon it by Japanese
aggressiveness. Japan has threatened to fire warning shots at Chinese aircraft
within its ADIZ, and deploy shore-to-ship missiles near the Miyako Strait,
through which the Chinese Navy enters the Western Pacific.
Posted By Worldmeets.US
In
the second quarter of this year, Japanese jets were scrambled 69 times, interfering
with the normal operations of Chinese aircraft. During the same period last year,
the number was only 15. Recently, Japan's navy even sent warships into waters
where the Chinese Navy was holding live-fire drills.
Therefore,
by drawing a cordon in the East China Sea, China is emerging from its passive
position. This will prove effective in safeguarding international air travel across
the area.
Carping
and making irresponsible remarks about China establishing its own ADIZ are of
no value. The White House claims that China's action will impact the interests
of the United States and its allies. U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel said
he is "deeply concerned" at the action and that America won't alter
its plans for military drills in the East China Sea.
Such
American claims are ridiculous. How will the interests of the U.S. and its
allies be impacted by a Chinese ADIZ on China's own doorstep? Why didn't America
call the establishment of Japan's ADIZ in 1969, which included China's Diaoyu
Islands within it, and Tokyo's "nationalization" of the islands, "one-sided"?
[Editor's
Note: The Senkaku/Diaoyu
Islands are located east of Mainland China, northeast of Taiwan, and west
of Okinawa. ... After it was discovered in 1968 that oil reserves might be
found under the sea near the islands and following the transfer of
administration from the United States to Japan in 1971, China and Taiwan
challenged Japan's sovereignty. Beijing claim China discovered and controlled
the islands from the 14th century. Japan controlled the islands from 1895 until
its surrender at the end of World War II. The United States administered them
from 1945 to 1972, when they reverted to Japanese control.]
It
should be noted that the ADIZ is not a no-fly zone. China has consistently
respected the right to over flight of all countries as long as they comply with
international law and are legally identified under the rules of the ADIZ.
Cooperation
and compliance will guarantee the safety of flights. Only moves that ignore rules
and warnings will trigger emergency defensive measures by China's military.
Threats
will not sway China. Defending its own territory will always be its top
priority.
*Luo
Yuan is vice president of the China Strategy Culture Promotion Association.
