`There is no evidence that the Chinese government intends to announce the establishment of an Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) in the East Sea in the near future. These hypotheses only cause diplomatic tensions and the risk of unintended clashes.`

The article’s authors, researcher Cao Qun of the China Institute of International Studies and Bao Yinan, an associate professor at East China University of Political Science, said this was an attempt `to cause division` between North and South China.

Chinese naval ships conducted exercises in the East Sea in 2016.

On May 31, SCMP newspaper quoted an anonymous source in the Chinese military as saying that Beijing had been planning to establish an ADIZ in the East Sea since 2010 and was `just waiting for the opportunity to declare it`.

In 2013, China unilaterally announced the establishment of an ADIZ in the East China Sea, where Beijing and Tokyo dispute the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands.

`If China declares an ADIZ in the East Sea, it will affect all countries and go against the principles of the Indo-Pacific region, which is freedom of navigation and overflight anywhere.

ADIZ is often declared by countries to be established in undisputed airspace, to track and monitor all foreign aircraft operating, ensuring national security interests.

Military experts say China risks escalating tensions with the US and causing irreparable damage in relations with Southeast Asian countries if it establishes an ADIZ in the East Sea.

Since the beginning of this year, China has taken a series of aggressive steps in the East Sea.