Air defence zone in East China Sea to remain 'forever', say Beijing advisers
Controversial defence zone announced at short notice was under consideration ‘for some time’ and will not be rescinded, say Beijing advisers
Beijing has been planning an air defence zone over the East China Sea for some time and it will stay there "forever", according to foreign policy advisers to the central government.
The sudden declaration of the protected air space close to territorial waters and islands also claimed by Japan triggered fierce protests from Tokyo and Washington.
China said aircraft would have to notify its aviation authorities if they want to enter the defence zone it established on Saturday. The aim is to protect the nation's territorial sovereignty.
"Emergency defensive measures'' could be taken against aircraft entering the area without permission, Xinhua reported.
Last night, Japan's two airlines, ANA Holdings and Japan Airlines, said they would heed a Japanese government request to stop filing flight plans demanded by China on routes through the new air defence zone.
Both airlines, which have been informing China's aviation authorities since Saturday of flights through the zone in the East China Sea, would stop doing so from today, spokesmen from the carriers said.