Beijing, Dec 3 (IANS): The purpose of China's Air Defence Identification Zone over the East China Sea is to improve the country's capacity to identify aircraft and avoid any misjudgement, an official said Tuesday.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei made the comments at a regular press briefing when asked to provide further explanation on the newly established zone, Xinhua reported.

China Nov 23 established the East China Sea Air Defence Identification Zone, which includes the disputed Diaoyu islands (known in Japan as Senkaku islands).

It announced that aircraft flying in the zone must abide by these rules or "the armed forces will adopt defensive emergency measures to respond to aircraft that do not cooperate in the identification or refuse to follow the instructions".

Hong Lei said there is a dense distribution of flights on the air route over the East China Sea.

Therefore, the air defence-zone was set up to better keep track of the situation, to safeguard national security and security of territorial land and airspace, as well as to uphold the flight order.

Most airlines travelling through the zone have reported their flight plans to China, the spokesman said.

Hong Lei added that the country appreciates their understanding and constructive attitude.