By Jin Kai
More ADIZs will follow as China goes further in setting up its own rules in its near abroad.
There have been numerous discussions over why China announced its ADIZ at this moment. Some view it as a an institutional justification for China’s so-called righteous behaviors near its shore, while some regard it as an unnecessary challenge to the current regional order which has been dominated by the U.S.-Japan alliance. Despite the mainly negative and critical responses from its neighbors and particularly from Japan, China does not want to hide its confidence and even assertiveness on this matter. Beijing will probably establish ADIZ in the Yellow and South China Seas in the near future.
One of the main implications of China’s move is that it has been taking every chance to change its role from that of a humble and obedient follower of U.S.-dominated regional and international orders, to that of a new player in the current multiple rule-making processes. Aiming to be a rule-maker, China has become substantially involved in the multinational anti-piracy efforts in the Gulf of Aden and has also raised its voice in world climate dialogues. Actually, China has been sending out even stronger and clearer messages.
“If the rules are made by the international community through agreement and China is part of it, China will definitely abide by them, but if the rules are decided by one or several countries, China does not have the obligation to observe them,” Pang Sen, deputy head of Department of International Organizations and Conferences of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, told the press at the end of the APEC economic leaders’ meeting in Honolulu in November 2011. The East China Sea ADIZ is a carefully planned attempt for China to make the rules at its own doorstep, which are supported by China’s ever-growing economic and military power. If China succeeds or at least avoids starting an uncontrollable escalation of regional confrontation, Beijing will become more confident. More cases will follow as China goes further in setting up its own rules.
Read the full story at The Diplomat