China monitors US B-52 flights in air zone  

Screen shot of China's defense ministry's website

(ECNS) -- China's defense ministry said on Wednesday that it had monitored the entire progress of two US B-52 bombers that flew in its newly-established air defense identification zone over the East China Sea.

"The Chinese military monitored the entire course, carried out identification in a timely manner, and ascertained the type of US aircraft," said defence spokesman Geng Yansheng in a statement on the ministry's website.

"China is capable of exercising effective control over this airspace," Geng added.