Japan and South Korea hold joint exercise in China’s air defence zone
Rescue exercise near Suyan Rock is seen as sending out a strong signal to Beijing, but two nations are at odds over commercial flights
Japan and South Korea have conducted a joint naval exercise in an area covered by China's air defence identification zone - a move that is seen as sending a firm message to Beijing.
Both countries said that while they didn't inform the Chinese authorities, the joint maritime rescue drill was planned long before Beijing announced the controversial zone over the East China Sea. Under Chinese rules, all aircraft are required to report flight plans in advance.
The drill had been planned for a long time, since before China’s announcement
But yesterday's exercise added another complication to the issue, with the two countries divided over compliance by commercial flights.
Korean Air and Asiana Airlines said they would start to notify the Chinese authorities from yesterday, while Japan has told its commercial operators not to comply.
However, analysts said the Asian neighbours were sending a strong signal to China by choosing to carry out the exercise near Suyan Rock. The tiny, submerged rock has become the focus of renewed disputes between Beijing and Seoul since the air zone was declared on November 23.
A South Korean military official was quoted by the Yonhap news agency as saying that two destroyers and two helicopters from each side took part.
But neither side submitted flight plans to the Chinese authorities, the report said.
