DHAKA: Three major U.S. airlines on Saturday confirmed that pilots were complying with Chinese government demands that it be notified of plans to traverse the newly declared air defense zone over the East China Sea.

The demands from Beijing have resulted in tensions with Japan and the United States, reports CNN.

On Saturday, United, American and Delta airlines told CNN that its pilots were following Washington`s advice and complying with Beijing`s "air defense identification zone."

A senior official in U.S. President Barack Obama`s administration said Friday that commercial airlines are being told to abide by Beijing`s instruction, even if the U.S. government doesn`t recognize it.

"We ... are advising for safety reasons that they comply with notices to airmen, which FAA always advises," the official said.

Japan resists Chinese demand

Two major Japanese airlines have refused to comply with China`s declaration.

The Japanese government said Saturday it has asked the International Civil Aviation Organization to address China`s designation of the new defense zone, the Kyodo News Agency reported.

The Japanese Foreign Ministry said the government`s proposal at an ICAO meeting Friday in Canada called the Chinese zone a threat to aviation safety, Kyodo reported.

Kyodo said Australia, Britain and the United States supported the proposal, with China opposed.

BDST: 1012 HRS, DEC 01 , 2013