Security official Chou Mei-wu says that China is unlikely to set up an Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) over disputed islands in the South China Sea. Chou was speaking Thursday.
An ADIZ is an area where aircraft preparing to enter a country’s airspace must identify themselves. China controversially declared an ADIZ near similarly disputed islands in the East China Sea in 2013.
Reports in the foreign media have suggested that China may announce a new zone in the South China Sea, where several groups of islands are contested by China, Taiwan, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei. The reports suggest that the move might come as the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague prepares to rule a case brought by the Philippines against China over disputes in the area.
However, Chou said that based on observations of Chinese activity on disputed islands in the area, it appears that China is treating the South China Sea islands under its control as military bases. He said it does not appear that China has reached the point where it would be able to declare a new ADIZ in the area.