An International Law Perspective on the Legality of ADIZ

National security is the corner stone justification for Air Defense Identification Zones, there are however varying opinions that view ADIZs as a ploy by states to extend their territory thereby violating international air law. These varying opinions cannot be argued at face value, simply because there is no existing universal procedure for the adoption of ADIZ, leaving the rules of implementing ADIZ open to varied practice by states. The United States and China are used as case studies to show the varied practice of ADIZ by states and the cause of such misconception. One major difference is the threat of the use of force in the East China Sea ADIZ for non-compliance with China's ADIZ rules. This is a clear violation of international law as international airspace is free for all and no state has exclusive jurisdiction over it. The legality of ADIZ is the main concern of this book and different sources of international law will be discussed with an aim to conclude on the legality of ADIZs.