China responds to B-52 flyover

Nov. 27 (UPI) -- China acknowledged it had monitored the flight of two unarmed U.S. B-52 bombers that crossed into airspace China recently claimed as its own, but said it had decided not to take action.

Tensions in the region have escalated since Saturday, when China published a new map of its "air defense identification zone" that included an extension into disputed territory also claimed by Japan in the East China Sea.

The American craft spent about an hour in this airspace overnight Monday, emphasizing its ties to Japan, a treaty ally. Still, the exercise was a long-planned one, and Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel said the U.S. had no plans to change its procedures in the zone.

Japanese civilian airlines also refused to notify Beijing before flying through the zone Wednesday.

Beijing said Wednesday it had decided not take action against the aircraft "in accordance" to the rules determined by the Chinese Defense Ministry with the rollout of its new map, which requires action to be taken depending on "how big the threat was."

It previously said it would require foreign aircraft to identify themselves or face possible military intervention.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called the move a "dangerous attempt" to wrest further power in the region, while South Korea, which has grown closer to China, said it would not accept the new zone, which also overlaps with the Korean zone.

The long simmering tensions between Japan and China over a cluster of islands controlled by Japan, called Senkaku, but claimed by China, who call them Daioyu, escalated last September when Tokyo attempted to nationalize them. Taiwan also claims the islands, which it calls Diaoyutai.

[New York Times]