(VOVworld) – China has sent two warplanes to a so-called air defense identification zone that was unilaterally declared by Beijing in the East China Sea to monitor the aircraft of Japan and the US in the area.

Japan's aircraft flies over the disputed islands in the East China Sea (Source: dantri.com.vn)

This is the first time China sent its military airplanes to the East Sea since ADIZ declaration. The move is likely to raise tension in the Northeast Asia as the US, Japan and South Korea have voiced protest to China’s ADIZ. A spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Qin Gang said on Friday that the airplanes of China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force have the right to patrol its ADIZ in the East China Sea to protect their airspace adding that China’s armed forces are on high alert. He affirmed that all China’s measures to control its airspace will not be affected. On the same day, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Tokyo will deal with the issue of China’s ADIZ in a calm and resolute manner by cooperating with the world community.