Japan, South Korea getting defiant about China's claimed airspace

Japanese and South Korean military aircraft flew through disputed airspace over the East China Sea without informing China, officials said on Thursday, challenging a new Chinese air defence zone that has increased regional tensions and sparked concerns of an unintended clash.

China rejected South Korea's demand for the repeal of the zone but appeared to soften its demand that commercial aircraft tell its military authorities of any plans to pass through the area. Japan's two biggest airlines have already begun defying that order.

"The East China Sea air defence identification zone is not aimed at normal international flights. We hope that relevant countries' airlines can proactively co-operate so there is more order and safety for flights," said China's foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang.