South Korea announced on Sunday a southward expansion of its air defense identification zone (KADIZ), encompassing the nation's two southernmost islands of Marado and Hongdo as well as the Suyan Rock, a submerged reef that overlaps with China and South Korea's exclusive economic zones (EEZ).

This is the first time that South Korea has adjusted its ADIZ since it was demarcated in March, 1951. The KADIZ's eastern and western boundaries remain the same as before and the new zone will take effect from Dec. 15, according to the South Korean Defense Ministry.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said on Friday that the South Korean move to expand the KADIZ should be in line with its national laws and international norms and China would like to maintain communication with the South Korea on the basis of equality and mutual respect.

Hong also said that an ADIZ was not part of a country's territorial airspace and had nothing to do with administrative rights over seas and airspace.

China's stance towards ADIZ is clear -- it is to defend China's national security and reduce the risk of conflicts. However, after China announced the East China Sea ADIZ on Nov. 23, the South Korea navy sent warships to patrol the waters around Suyan Rock on Dec. 2. This reaction will hold back the development of the strategic partnership between China and South Korea.

Suyan Rock, a submerged rock 4.6 meters below sea level (at low tide) is located in the East China Sea continental shelf in China's EEZ. But South Korea has conducted unilateral activities in the region in recent years. For example, it placed an illegal warning beacon on the rock in 1987. And in 2001, the Korea Institute of Geology officially designated the rock "Ieodo." This June, some Japanese media stirred up the so called China-South Korea disputes over the Suyan Rock Issue. But it also claimed that Suyan Rock was in the Japanese ADIZ, so Japan was able to take advantage of the Suyan Rock Issue to divide China and South Korea. Unfortunately, the South Korea warship patrol fitted in exactly with Japan's wish.

It's time for South Korea to make a rational choice instead of being kidnapped by Japan's evil intentions. In the eyes of the Chinese, South Koreans, like the Chinese, have also suffered from Japanese militarism. The two peoples should be united in fighting against revising the pacifist constitution, expanding armies and restoring the militarism of the right-wing Japanese government. They also should work together to maintain the regional peace and stability after World War Two.

South Korean President Park Geun-hye called her first state visit to China in June a "trip of hearts and trust," which reflects Park's will to strengthen communications with Chinese leaders in order to firm up the partnership between Seoul and Beijing. During her meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, both sides agreed that China and South Korea have many common interests and deep cultural and economic connections. The two countries can provide each other with opportunities in economic and social development. Both sides have been involved in promoting the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and maintaining regional peace and stability.

It is regrettable to see that only after five months Seoul reacted improperly to China's ADIZ in the East China Sea by expanding its KADIZ. There is no need for Seoul to go to the extreme that Tokyo has. In order to seek peace and development, both sides can solve the Suyan Rock issue through diplomacy instead of hostility.

The author is a political commentator.

The post was translated by Li Shen. Its original version was published in Chinese.

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn

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