The file photo shows a J-20 stealth fighter jet attached to the Chinese PLA Air Force flies through the clouds overhead during a flight training exercise. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Yang Jun)

 J-20 stealth fighter jets of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force recently carried out a series of combat patrols over the East China Sea, driving away foreign aircraft which were flying close to China's territorial airspace in the process, with experts saying on Thursday that with advanced warplanes like the J-20 and others, China is well-equipped to deal with close-in reconnaissance provocations by foreign militaries.

Flying J-20 fighter jets, pilots attached to the Wang Hai Air Group recently conducted combat patrols in China's East China Sea Air Defense Identification Zone, China Central Television (CCTV) reported on Wednesday.

During the mission, the J-20s apparently drove away foreign aircraft approaching Chinese airspace, as a pilot sent warnings via radio communications "This is the Chinese Air Force. You have approached Chinese airspace, leave immediately!"

"Our naval and air forces have now achieved routine management and control over the East China Sea Air Defense Identification Zone, with J-20s carrying out routine combat alert missions," Senior Colonel Li Debing, a pilot of the Wang Hai Air Group, was quoted by CCTV as saying.

China announced the establishment of its East China Sea Air Defense Identification Zone on November 23, 2013, which was also the first day the PLA Air Force carried out its first combat patrol, CCTV reported.

Over the past 10 years, the J-20 has flown in the East China Sea, South China Sea and the Taiwan Straits, with more aircraft of this type being commissioned all over the country, CCTV said.

The mass production and wide deployment of the J-20 will enable the PLA Air Force to better safeguard China's sovereignty, territorial integrity and development interests, a Beijing-based military expert who requested anonymity told the Global Times on Thursday.

Foreign warplanes and warships, particularly those from the US, have been conducting frequent close-in reconnaissance operations and provocative military exercises on China's doorsteps, and by deploying the advanced J-20s in combat patrol missions, the PLA Air Force not only will effectively identify, track and monitor those potential threats, but also pose a powerful deterrent and drive them away when necessary, the expert said.

Fu Qianshao, a Chinese military aviation expert, told the Global Times that China has a complete system and protocols to counter foreign close-in reconnaissance and provocations including not only fighter jets like the J-20, but also early warning systems like the KJ-500 early warning aircraft.

On China's doorsteps, such a combination has an advantage against even foreign stealth fighter jets, Fu said.