BEIJING, Dec. 3 -- The purpose of China's Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) is to improve the country's capacity to identify aircraft and avoid any misjudgment, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Tuesday.

Hong Lei made the comments at a regular press briefing when asked to provide further explanation on the newly established zone.

He said there is a dense distribution of flights on the air route over the East China Sea. Therefore, the ADIZ was set up to better keep track of the situation, to safeguard national security and security of territorial land and airspace, as well as uphold the flight order.

Most airlines traveling through the zone have reported their flight plans to China, said Hong, adding that the country appreciates their understanding and constructive attitude.