Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying is at the regular press conference on May 7, 2015 in Beijing, China. (Photo/mfa.gov.cn)
The Chinese government has refuted reports of Chinese plans to establish an Air Defense Identification Zone in the South China Sea during the Foreign Ministry spokesperson's regular press conference on Thursday.
In rebuffing the reports, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying says establishing an Air Defense Identification Zone within a country's territory is within their internationally-recognized rights.
"We believe the current situation in South China Sea is stable. China has good relations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Both parties are dedicated to improving cooperation and protecting the South China Sea area's peace and stability. Given such circumstances, the hype over China possibly setting ADIZ in South China Sea obviously has ulterior motives."
The Chinese government established an Air Defense Identification Zone in the East China Sea in 2013.
An ADIZ requires aircraft entering into the space to provide its identification to air traffic coordinators.
It also forces commercial airlines travelling through that space to give pre-advance notice before travelling through.
