Taiwan set to reject Chinese ‘air defence zone’ statement

Taiwan’s new defence minister said yesterday the island would not recognise any air defence zone declared by China in the South China Sea, as the island’s top security agency warned such a move could usher in a wave of regional tension.

US officials have expressed concern that an international court ruling expected in weeks on a case brought by the Philippines against China over its South China Sea claims could prompt Beijing to declare an air defence identification zone, as it did over the East China Sea in 2013.

China claims most of the South China Sea, through which €4.4trn in ship-borne trade passes every year.