02:13
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While China's establishment of an Air Defense Identification Zone
(ADIZ) over the East China Sea has generated wide criticism, Taiwan has
been noticeably quiet on the matter, despite the fact some of its own
airspace falls under Beijing's ADIZ.
Analysts said that reflects Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou's emphasis on improving ties with China.
Ma is keen to avoid any situation that could possibly prevent a summit meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, which may be in the cards next year.
The Executive Yuan issued a statement Nov. 29 that said China's unilateral setting of the ADIZ would not help the development of cross-straits relations.
The Legislative Yuan also took issue with the lame response by the Ma administration. On Nov. 29, opposition party members rushed the speaker's podium and occupied it as a sign of protest.
After discussions between the ruling and opposition parties, a joint statement was issued that said: "A rigorous protest should be submitted to China and efforts made to fall in step with allies in the region. Flight plans should not have to be submitted (to China)."
Commercial airlines in Taiwan have submitted flight plans as requested by China.
While the Executive Yuan issued the mild protest Nov. 29 following criticism from the Legislative Yuan, the overall response to China’s ADIZ has been restrained, especially when compared to other nations with stakes in the region.
According to the Central News Agency, Ma said Nov. 26: "There is little overlap with Taiwan's ADIZ. There will be no effect on military exercises."
Opposition Democratic Progressive Party head Su Tseng-chang called on Ma to take a stronger stance and criticized China by saying, "There is no hint of good faith and (setting the ADIZ) is an expression of regional hegemony."
The Liberty Times, a Taiwan newspaper that has been critical of the government, ran a report about concerns in the Taiwan military over its ability to carry out operations. Tensions could heighten since part of the ADIZ that overlaps with Taiwan's ADIZ includes airspace where military training is conducted.
The Japanese government is said to be asking Taiwan to take stronger measures, including not abiding by Beijing's request to file flight plans in advance.
STRONGER CRITICISM IN S. KOREA
Meanwhile, South Korean media have become increasingly critical of not only China's establishment of the ADIZ, but also its rejection of calls by Seoul to revise the zone boundaries.
South Korean newspapers, playing up the national defense strategy meeting held Nov. 28 between South Korean and Chinese officials, said China rejected a request to revise its ADIZ.
According to the reports, South Korea informed China that it was considering expanding its own ADIZ. South Korean media also focused attention on a reef that is part of a territorial dispute between South Korea and China, which falls under China’s ADIZ. South Korea calls the island Ieodo.
The Dong-A Ilbo reported, "The confrontation between the two nations will likely intensify."
Meanwhile, the JoongAng Ilbo said, "If there is a military encounter between the two nations over airspace of Ieodo, it would be totally China's responsibility."
South Korea flew surveillance aircraft over Ieodo on Nov. 26 without notifying Beijing in advance. The South Korean government has also called on airline companies to not notify China in advance.
However, an official for the South Korean Foreign Ministry said Nov. 28, "Rather than closing in on only a particular issue, it is preferable to keep focused on the overall picture."
Analysts said that reflects Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou's emphasis on improving ties with China.
Ma is keen to avoid any situation that could possibly prevent a summit meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, which may be in the cards next year.
The Executive Yuan issued a statement Nov. 29 that said China's unilateral setting of the ADIZ would not help the development of cross-straits relations.
The Legislative Yuan also took issue with the lame response by the Ma administration. On Nov. 29, opposition party members rushed the speaker's podium and occupied it as a sign of protest.
After discussions between the ruling and opposition parties, a joint statement was issued that said: "A rigorous protest should be submitted to China and efforts made to fall in step with allies in the region. Flight plans should not have to be submitted (to China)."
Commercial airlines in Taiwan have submitted flight plans as requested by China.
While the Executive Yuan issued the mild protest Nov. 29 following criticism from the Legislative Yuan, the overall response to China’s ADIZ has been restrained, especially when compared to other nations with stakes in the region.
According to the Central News Agency, Ma said Nov. 26: "There is little overlap with Taiwan's ADIZ. There will be no effect on military exercises."
Opposition Democratic Progressive Party head Su Tseng-chang called on Ma to take a stronger stance and criticized China by saying, "There is no hint of good faith and (setting the ADIZ) is an expression of regional hegemony."
The Liberty Times, a Taiwan newspaper that has been critical of the government, ran a report about concerns in the Taiwan military over its ability to carry out operations. Tensions could heighten since part of the ADIZ that overlaps with Taiwan's ADIZ includes airspace where military training is conducted.
The Japanese government is said to be asking Taiwan to take stronger measures, including not abiding by Beijing's request to file flight plans in advance.
STRONGER CRITICISM IN S. KOREA
Meanwhile, South Korean media have become increasingly critical of not only China's establishment of the ADIZ, but also its rejection of calls by Seoul to revise the zone boundaries.
South Korean newspapers, playing up the national defense strategy meeting held Nov. 28 between South Korean and Chinese officials, said China rejected a request to revise its ADIZ.
According to the reports, South Korea informed China that it was considering expanding its own ADIZ. South Korean media also focused attention on a reef that is part of a territorial dispute between South Korea and China, which falls under China’s ADIZ. South Korea calls the island Ieodo.
The Dong-A Ilbo reported, "The confrontation between the two nations will likely intensify."
Meanwhile, the JoongAng Ilbo said, "If there is a military encounter between the two nations over airspace of Ieodo, it would be totally China's responsibility."
South Korea flew surveillance aircraft over Ieodo on Nov. 26 without notifying Beijing in advance. The South Korean government has also called on airline companies to not notify China in advance.
However, an official for the South Korean Foreign Ministry said Nov. 28, "Rather than closing in on only a particular issue, it is preferable to keep focused on the overall picture."
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