Read more in Daily Special(s): China sets up 'air defense zone' over East China Sea


Japan and the US have lodged strong protests against China's setting up of the East China Sea Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) last Saturday.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Monday that the zone "can invite an unexpected occurrence and it is a very dangerous thing as well," and its Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that "setting up such airspace unilaterally escalates the situations ... and has danger of leading to an unexpected situation."

Meanwhile US Secretary of State John Kerry and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel further stoked up the feud by reiterating that the Diaoyu Islands fall under the US-Japan Security Treaty and the US is committed to defending Tokyo by expressing deep concern at Beijing's move.

The Chinese anticipated Washington would show support for Tokyo, at least in its declaration, and we predict that it will further pressure China with escalated tensions over the Diaoyu Islands.

However, the US' tough stance might turn out to become a catalyst for Japan to take further provocative actions against China on the East China Sea, instead of serving as a condition to prompt Beijing to alter its will and determination in establishing the ADIZ.

China emphasized the legitimacy of the creation of the air defense zone and reiterated its willingness for peace and stability. Now that Abe uttered "an unexpected situation" in response to the new ADIZ, it is fair enough for the Chinese to believe that Japan will probably wage calamitous maneuvers as the "unexpected situation" its prime minister claimed. We wonder whether the Japanese are warning us that a war is likely to break out on the East China Sea.

It must be pointed out that Beijing set up the ADIZ with an aim to avoid frictions and conflicts. More than 20 countries have created their air defense identification zones and, in particular, Japan's ADIZ has crossed the so-called "median line" in the East China Sea reaching only 130 kilometers from China's mainland. Therefore it is indispensable for Beijing to include the Diaoyu Islands in the new ADIZ.

If Tokyo desires for a peaceful East China Sea, it is supposed to negotiate with Beijing on the operation of both air defense zones and effectively manage and control crises, which is not difficult with advanced technologies.

However, Beijing can not influence Japan's decision if it takes "unexpected" actions against China's aircraft in the ADIZ.

We are convinced that the People's Liberation Army must have taken into account the worst situation when a military mishap breaks out. If Washington attempts to interfere in this Sino-Japanese territorial row, China is willing to keep it company to the end.

The Japanese are too naïve if it believes China is a nation that can be easily frightened or deterred.

The East China Sea is likely to enjoy peace but is also easy to sink in a quagmire of "unexpected" turbulence, which will consume the two largest economies in Asia. Perhaps Beijing should leave Tokyo to make the right choice this time.