Air defense identification zone not just about the island
Recently China made a controversial effort announcing an air identification zone (ADIZ) in the East China Sea. It invited strong criticism from USA, Japan, and Thailand and even from India. Here we are dealing with various issues concerning with this issue.
What is an ADIZ?
Technically it is a section of international airspace over which the country has the right to identify any aircraft enters that region to protect from foreign threat. It is not a jurisdictional law, but only a customary law.
What happens in such a space?
After proclaiming the zone, the country would use radar to detect the threat and use radio to know who and why the suspicious act was occurred? It has the right to launch an aircraft for observation if it is needed. Anyway the country has no any authority to launch a direct attack on this site unless there is no a direct threat.
What the problem with Chinas identification zone?
1-The Chinas ADIZ overlaps the ADIZ which was created by the US after world war II and it was transferred to Japan.
2- Japan sees the problem as a direct invasion to their sovereign right on the land.
3- This is first time in history that a country proclaims its air defence zone on a previously proclaimed area.
4-it takes the risk of a future war between the stakeholders.
5- Air defense zone consists over Diaoyu/Senkaku islands .
What is so significant about Diaoyu/Senkaku islands.?
The former is named by Chinese, while the second is named by the people of japan. It is a history problem and the result of japans colonialism over china twice in history. at last in 1895 it was annexed to Japan. So it is a sensitive area.
What is behind the sudden action of China?
1. The policy decision making in china over the foreign issue is very opaque. so always it invites criticism from various parts of the world.
2. China attempts to redefine the sovereignty issues. (speculative theories)
3. Japans air defense zone also extends to Chinese territory for about 130 kilometers.
4. It is not rather an issue of island. But it is of larger maritime security issue.
5. It is the result of internal political pressure from china. It will affect the role issue of new president.
The stand point of India in this matter
1. It was a sudden reaction from Chinese authority and it disrespects the sovereignty issue of Japan.
2. China may not be aware of the strong criticism it may invite. Thats why they converted their words from emergency defence measures to just want notification
3. China uses the international institutions to achieve their goal.
4. The ADIZ itself is not the problem. But the action of china is the problem.
5. It would be a creditable evidence for India on the factor of China Threat.
by Shahid T Komath
Ref: www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/not-just-about-the-islands/article5441185.ece
