Beijing Ready To Impose Air Defence Identification Zone In South China Sea

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South China Morning Post: Beijing ready to impose air defence identification zone in South China Sea pending US moves

US military presence and ties with neighbours to influence timing of a declaration, source says

China is preparing an air defence identification zone (ADIZ) in the South China Sea, two years after it announced a similar one in the East China Sea, according to sources close to the People’s Liberation Army and a defence report.

But one source said the timing of any declaration would ­depend on security conditions in the region, particularly the United States’ military presence and diplomatic ties with neighbouring countries.

“If the US military keeps making provocative moves to challenge China’s sovereignty in the region, it will give Beijing a good opportunity to declare an ADIZ in the South China Sea,” the source said.

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Update: A Chinese ADIZ in the South China Sea: The Ultimate Bargaining Chip? (Harry J. Kazianis, National Interest)

WNU Editor: With so many conflicting claims in the South China Sea .... and China claiming that they have sovereignty over the entire region .... the imposition of an air identification zone will only escalate the crisis to an entirely different level.