(Yonhap) -- The Pentagon made clear Friday that it would continue normal operations in Northeast Asia, where military tensions have escalated following China's declaration of an air defense zone over the East China Sea.

   "We'll continue to partner with our allies in the region and operate as normal," the Pentagon said in a statement.

   It was responding to reports that China had deployed fighter jets earlier in the day in response to flights by a dozen U.S. and Japanese military aircraft into the zone.

   The U.S., Japan and South Korea have refused to acknowledge the zone, unilaterally declared by Beijing in what is viewed as part of long-term strategy to solidify its territorial claims.

   Last week, China announced that all aircraft entering the area between China, Taiwan, South Korea and Japan should notify Chinese authorities in advance.

   In a show of clear defiance, the U.S. sent B-52 bombers into the zone without notifying China.

   South Korea and Japan also flew military planes there. The Chinese government said it kept close tabs on the flights.

   "China's air force has faithfully carried out its mission and tasks, with China's navy, since it was tasked with patrolling the East China Sea air defense identification zone. It monitored throughout the entire flights, made timely identification and ascertained the types," China's Defense Ministry spokesman, Col. Shen Jinke, said in a statement on its website.