Taiwan to notify China of flights through Senkakus, but calls for urgent regional talks

~~TAIPEI - Taiwan agreeing to provide flight plans to China for flights passing through China’s newly proclaimed air defence identification zone (ADIZ) is based on security concerns and does not involve sovereignty issues, according to Taiwan’s Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) Director-General, Jean Shen.

Around 100 daily flights operating to and from Taiwan on seven routes go through the ADIZ over the East China Sea. Taiwan politicians have been urging the Government to ignore China’s demands. Japan and South Korea have ignored China's demand to be notified about any flights passing through the zone, thrown up around the disputed Senkaku Islands.

Taiwan’s President, Ma Ying-jeou, is urging countries voicing concern over China's new ADIZ to hold talks with China as soon as possible to restore calm to the region.

"I again solemnly call on related parties to refrain from actions that would elevate tensions in the East China Sea, and to quickly hold bilateral dialogues with China on relevant issues, including the issue of the ADIZ, to restore the East China Sea to its original state as a sea of peace and co-operation," Ma said.

Ma reiterated Taiwan's claim to sovereignty over the Diaoyutai (Senkaku) Islands - which are covered by China's ADIZ - and said Taiwan’s air force will continue its missions and training exercises within Taiwan's own ADIZ. "But we will express our solemn position to the Chinese authorities through the relevant channels, because they did not consult with us before announcing the ADIZ," Ma said (ATI).