It is not a “No Fly” Zone. It is a Air Defense Identification Zone. Any non-Chinese aircraft will have to identify itself, or Chinese aircraft will fly up to take a look.
In a “No Fly” Zone any aircraft will be shot down if it intrudes.
In this zone if they do not ID themselves, they will be checked out.
The Japanese do exactly the same thing over these islands. The Chinese also claim the islands in question and have now decided to do the same...which is new...and which can lead to accidents, tensions, problems and potential conflict.
But it is not a “No Fly,” zone. If it were, the Chinese and Japanese would be in an aerial war almost immediately.
I have long said that if the Japaneese want to maintain control over these islands, they need to put a coast guard base with helios and resupply dock at the location. Along with maritime radar and communications.
You know, to support international shipping [wink wink]
Jeff, the article states:
“China’s defense ministry warned in a statement that all aircraft that fail to comply with its new rules for transit through the zone could be shot down.”
How is this not a no-fly zone? Not being mouthy here. Those words to me, make it logical to conclude that it is indeed a no fly zone.