PLAAF/PLA Doctrine: China’s Air Defense Identification Zone

China’s Air Defense Identification Zone
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China’s Air Defense Identification Zone
A major PLAF doctrine that has significant implications for the Second Island Chain is the establishment of China’s Air Defense Identification Zone in November 2013 (Fei 2014). To a large extent, ADIZ not only presents an opportunity for the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) to flex its muscles but also meets the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) objective of establishing “One China.” ADIZ also supports CCP’s efforts to compete with the United States for global dominance. This paper explores Chinese ADIZ as an important element of PLAAF’s and China’s national and military objectives.
ADIZ’s Purpose
China's ADIZ serves several purposes that align with its regional and global ambitions. Notably, the ADIZ allows China to assert its regional influence by extending its military reach and showcasing its growing capabilities. By overlapping with the existing ADIZs of Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan, China sends a clear message that it is willing to challenge the status quo and assert its dominance in the region (Hussain 2022). This is evidenced by the increased regional tensions that have been recorded since the establishment of the zone given that Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan view China's ADIZ as a direct challenge to their airspace sovereignty. For example, Japan Air-Self-Defense Force scrambled record 1,168 fighter jets in 2017 responding to 851 instances of PLAAF encroachment of its airspace (Li 2022). The ADIZ has seen China replace Russia as the major airspace threat to Japan.
Further, ADIZ serves as a symbol of China's broader territorial claims. By extending its ADIZ beyond its borders, China aims to solidify its control over disputed territories and consolidate its claims. The inclusion of the Pratas, Paracel, and Spratly Island chains in the South China Sea within the ADIZ is a clear indication of China's intent to exert control over these strategically important areas. Taking advantage of ADIZ, PLAAF can take overt actions to assert China’s authority over the airspace above these disputed islands. Thus, ADIZ strengthens China’s claim to the surrounding waters and reinforces its position in territorial disputes.
ADIZ Relationship to PLAAF Airpower
ADIZ has expanded PLAAF capabilities given that the government has invested significantly towards enhancing the capabilities of PLAAFs. To enforce its ADIZ, China conducts regular aerial patrols using aircraft like the Tu-154 and Y-8 (Li 2022). Given that the patrols serve as a display of military presence and a signal of China's commitment to safeguarding its interests, PLAAF consistently conducts military exercises in ADIZ. Case in point, PLAAF conducted a large-scale air exercise that inv...