Taiwan has said it will not acknowledge any air defence zones declared by China relating to the South China Sea. The move prompts fears of a fresh wave of regional tension. China claims much of the South China Sea, which is a lucrative shipping route, but Taiwan's Defence Minister, Feng Shih-kuan, told parliament: “We will not recognize any air defense identification zone (ADIZ) by China.” In an interview with Reuters on Wednesday, Mr Feng said: “China's position remains that there should be no ADIZs in this region. The United States says the patrols are to protect freedom of navigation. “Many countries have set up ADIZs. This has nothing to do with various countries' territorial or maritime rights issues,” Hong Lei said.
Taiwan has said it will not acknowledge any air defence zones declared by China relating to the South China Sea. The move prompts fears of a fresh wave of regional tension. China claims much of the South China Sea, which is a lucrative shipping route, but Taiwan's Defence Minister, Feng Shih-kuan, told parliament: “We will not recognize any air defense identification zone (ADIZ) by China.” In an interview with Reuters on Wednesday, Mr Feng said: “China's position remains that there should be no ADIZs in this region. “Many countries have set up ADIZs. This has nothing to do with various countries' territorial or maritime rights issues,” Hong Lei said.