China's ambassador to Australia has been called in to explain the Chinese Government's latest military move in the East China Sea.

Beijing has claimed the right to take military action against aircraft that enter its newly-declared air defence identification zone.

The area covers most of the East China Sea and the skies over a group of Tokyo-controlled islands claimed by Beijing.

China says foreign aircraft must report a flight plan and respond to Chinese inquiries or it will take "defensive measures."

Australia's Foreign minister Julie Bishop says the timing and the manner of China's announcement are unhelpful and won't contribute to regional stability.

"Australia has made clear its opposition to any coercive or unilateral actions to change the status quo in the East China Sea," Ms Bishop said in a statement.

The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade called in Chinese Ambassador Ma Zhaoxu on Monday to explain Beijing's intentions and hear the Australian Government's concerns.

War of words

Japan has protested China's move, warning of an escalation into the "unexpected" if Beijing enforced the rules.

US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel says the measures are a "destabilizing attempt to alter the status quo in the region".

Washington does not take a position on the sovereignty of the islands, known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China.

But it recognises that Japan has administrative control over them and is bound by treaty to defend Japan in the event of an armed conflict.

Sino-Japanese relations have been strained for months because of the dispute over the tiny islands in the East China Sea.

China's Defence Ministry said on Monday it had lodged protests with the US and Japanese embassies in Beijing over the criticism from Washington and Tokyo of the zone.

It also summoned Japan's ambassador, warning Tokyo to "stop (their) words and actions which create friction and harm regional stability", China's Foreign Ministry said.

Meanwhile, Tokyo and Seoul summoned Chinese diplomats to protest.

Asian and Western diplomats say the zone is a problem for Japan, the United States and other countries that may be wary of any acknowledgement of China's claims over the area.

ABC/Reuters