US advises airlines to comply with China’s rules

Though the US doesn’t accept China’s newly declared Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), it advised its commercial carriers on Friday to recognize it and follow procedures.

Though the US doesn’t accept China’s newly declared Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), it advised its commercial carriers on Friday to recognize it and follow procedures.

That, the Obama administration stressed, should not be taken as US recognition of the zone. It merely doesn’t want an untoward incident involving civilians.

“The US government generally expects that US carriers operating internationally will operate consistent with NOTAMs (Notices to Airmen) issued by foreign countries,” said the state department in a statement.

But, it added, “our expectation of operations by US carriers consistent with NOTAMs does not indicate US government acceptance of China’s requirements for operating in the newly declared ADIZ.”

China had unilaterally declared the ADIZ last week, requiring all aircraft flying through to identify themselves, report their flight plan and notify ground control of their exact position.