PHL says China air defense zone impedes civil aviation

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 28): PHL says China air defense zone impedes civil aviation

The Philippines on Thursday joined several nations in opposing China’s new air defense zone over the East China Sea, saying it threatens freedom of flight and aviation safety.

Beijing’s Air Defense Identification Zone or ADIZ drew protests and alarm from several nations led by the United States, which demonstrated its non-recognition of China's new territorial imposition by flying two B-52 bombers over the disputed air space.

Japan, South Korea and Australiaalso opposed China’s latest aggressive move aimed at bolstering military control over the disputed waters, home to a cluster of resource-rich islands disputed by Tokyoand Beijing.

“China’s East Asia Sea ADIZ transforms the entire airzone into its domestic airspace, infringes on the freedom of flight in international airspace and compromises the safety of civil aviation and national security of affected states,” Foreign Affairs spokesman Raul Hernandez said.

“The Philippines calls on Chinato ensure that its ADIZ preserves regional security and stability.”

Manila is also locked in a long-running territorial rift with Chinaover the South China Sea, where Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan also have overlapping claims.

The Philippines, which filed a case last January against Chinabefore an international tribunal to question the legality of its massive claim, has adopted the name West Philippine Sea for the disputed body of water.

Washington has declared that unfettered access to the South China and peaceful resolution of disputes are in America’s national interest.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=591793