How they see it
Dispute over China's air defence zone
1. China Daily
Two "unarmed" US B-52 bombers, on a "long-planned" "training mission", made an "overflight" through China's East China Sea Air Defence Identification Zone on Tuesday, according to the Pentagon. The White House and Pentagon have been trying to give the impression that they do not want to be overly provocative. On the other hand, they were anxious to send a message to intimidate. The current mess is a result of Tokyo's brinkmanship, and Washington's "message" will only add fuel to Tokyo's dangerous belligerence. More importantly, it may put China and the US on a collision course, which will prove much more hazardous than sending military aircraft to play chicken in the air. (Beijing)
2. The Japan Times
This act is a dangerous provocation to Japan and the United States since the ADIZ overlaps Japan's air zone and violates Japan's territorial right over the islands. Beijing may be trying to draw the attention of the Chinese public away from domestic economic and social problems by taking a hard-line stance on the Senkaku Islands. But it should realise that it will lose the international community's trust if it continues to pursue the path of using threats to resolve diplomatic issues. Japan must refrain from fanning the flames of nationalism at home and not let itself be provoked by China. Japan should launch diplomatic efforts together with the US and other countries to convince Beijing to exercise self-restraint.
3. The Guardian
Is it Europe before the first world war or the second? Analysts disagree, but all see the escalation of military threats between the two industrial giants China and Japan over disputed islands in the East China Sea with growing alarm. The announcement [of the ADIZ] may be a sop to the military, when its voice in the national debate could be weakening. China and Japan agreed in 2008 to co-operate on the joint development of the East China Sea. Further talks have never been pursued and not even a hotline exists between the two powers to avert another incident in the sea or in the air. It is time for people in China and Japan to turn down the volume of simplistic nationalist rhetoric and to pursue pragmatic dialogue. (London)
