Sixty-three years after the US set up its first ADIZ, China has followed suit and taken some experiences from others. First, China’s East China Sea ADIZ includes its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and parts of the high seas, so as to advance its surveillance range. Second, China doesn’t expand its territory and territorial waters. Third, China requires that foreign flight vehicle entering its ADIZ to submit notification to facilitate China’s identification. Forth, China will exercise independent identification in case of uncooperative foreign parties. Fifth, Chinese armed forces will take appropriate action per specific circumstances to respond to threats posed by foreign aircraft flying in this ADIZ.

International law has granted all countries the freedom of navigation/flight in high seas and airspace above. It requires, nevertheless, that such navigation/flight within other’s EEZ and space be conducted peacefully, properly taking care of security interests of the costal countries. It is true that international law has not mandated to establish ADIZ by all costal countries. It is up to a specific country to judge if international law alone has sufficiently protected national interests. Establishment of an ADIZ shall in no way impair, however, the freedom of flight over space above high sea, and freedom of peaceful flight over EEZ space above EEZ. China has taken this into its consideration when announcing its ADIZ.

Even so, it is still necessary for China to publicize, explain and communicate with the others so its intent of creating its first ADIZ will be better understood. It will also take some time for China to set its pattern of behaviors and familiarize the world with it through mutual interaction. So far, a growing number of foreign civil aviation agencies have submitted to China their plan of flying over this zone, though some still have complains and difficulty to cooperate, showing the process to understand and acceptance. China shall demonstrate its patience, confidence and will to exercise effective control of this ADIZ, while cooperating with the outside to manage differences constructively.

During his visit to Beijing, the US Vice-president Biden has shown his willingness to address disputes in a constructive way, indicating his statesmanship of positive attitude toward complex international issues. China has also come up with a principle of balance and showed a great degree of sincerity, as evidenced by its statement of December 4 to keep in dialogue and communication with Japan over technical issues on the basis of equality and mutual respect, so as to maintain flight safety and order in pertinent airspace, corporately. So long as Japan takes a pragmatic stand, acknowledging its territorial dispute with China in the East China Sea, ending infringing on China’s rights and interests, and cooperating with China in security and development matters, this region will be one of cooperation zone instead of risk zone.

The author is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit: http://www.ccgp-fushun.com/opinion/shendingli.htm

This article was first published at chinausfocus.com.