Chinese combat jets today conducted air patrols over disputed islands claimed by Japan, hours after Beijing's announcement of an air defence zone over the islets triggered fresh tensions wih Tokyo.
Shen Jinke, spokesperson of the People's Liberation Air Force (PLAF), said "two large scout aircraft carried out the patrol mission, with early warning aircraft and fighters providing support".
"The patrol is in line with international common practices and the normal flight of international flights will not be affected," Shen said.
It was not clear whether the air patrols flew over the chain of disputed islands called Diaoyu by China and Senkakus by Japan but the new "East China Sea Air Defence Identification Zone" covers the area, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.
This was perhaps the first time China has conducted air patrols challenging the Japanese air monopoly over the islands, which controlled them till last year.
Chinese ships have been conducting patrols near the islands since late last year.
Earlier, the Chinese Defence Ministry announced that aircraft entering the air defence zone will have to inform China or face "emergency defensive measures". It said the move will not affect international flights over the zone.
Under new Chinese rules, aircraft entering the zone will have to report their flight plans to the Chinese Foreign Ministry or the Civil Aviation Administration of China.
Shen said the Chinese armed forces are capable of effective control over the zone and will take measures to deal with air threats to protect the country's airspace.
