World

China: US missiles would 'seriously damage' Asia security

China is North Korea's largest trading partner and has been its key diplomatic protector for decades

Afp July 08, 2016

south korean defense ministry 039 s director general major general jang kyung soo 2nd r talks with us forces korea 039 s major general robert hedelund 3rd l during their working level talk to discuss the potential deployment of a thaad missile defense system at the defense ministry in seoul south korea march 4 2016 photo reuters

South Korean defense ministry's Director General Major General Jang Kyung-soo (2nd R) talks with US Forces Korea's Major General Robert Hedelund (3rd L) during their working-level talk to discuss the potential deployment of a THAAD missile defense system at the Defense Ministry in Seoul, South Korea, March 4, 2016. PHOTO: REUTERS

BEIJING: The deployment of a US missile defence system in South Korea would "seriously damage" regional security in northeast Asia, China said Friday, adding it strongly opposed the move.

The deployment of the THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defence) system announced by the US and South Korea would "seriously damage the strategic security interests of countries in the region including China", Beijing's foreign ministry said in a statement posted online.

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"China strongly urges the US and South Korea to stop the 'THAAD' anti-missile system deployment process," the statement said, adding the system would not aid the "denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula".

China is North Korea's largest trading partner and has been its key diplomatic protector for decades. But relations have soured over Pyongyang's nuclear tests and long-range missile launches, with Beijing supporting UN sanctions.

Still, analysts say it is concerned over any build up of US power on its doorstep, and values Pyongyang as a strategic bulwark.

Chinese President Xi Jinping stressed the importance of "friendly relations" to a visiting North Korean official last month, even after the envoy reportedly told Chinese officials Pyongyang would continue with its internationally condemned nuclear programme.

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The US and South Korea began talks on deploying the THAAD system to the Korean peninsula in February, when the North launched a long-range rocket following a fourth nuclear test in January.

They announced Friday that they had agreed to install it.

Separately, Washington earlier this week imposed sanctions on North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un, calling him directly responsible for a long list of serious human rights abuses.

China condemned the move, with foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei telling a briefing Thursday that it opposed "public pressure, confrontation and one country's imposing unilateral sanctions on another country by citing domestic laws".

COMMENTS (4)

HZR | 8 years ago | Reply One gets the impression that only American missile are harmful and Chinese missile are friendly...very funny

General Gober | 8 years ago | Reply There was a report awhile back that pak has/is procured/procuring 6 submarines from China; wasn't clear if these were conventional or nuqular; kind of wondering...no money to buy electricity, food, health care, education or for that matter F-16s..!! where did the money suddenly come from to buy not one or two but six submarines ?....As Raj USA has commented, there's little doubt that Gwadar is NOTHING but a Strategic Naval base for China; the more pak tries to spin, the lesser purchase its going to get with its effort; good luck pak.

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curious2 | 8 years ago | Reply Defensive missile system against N Korean aggression seems reasonable and wouldn't have been necessary had China used it's clout to contain N Korea. Whether China likes it or not every country has the right to self defensive.

Raj - USA | 8 years ago | Reply Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague will most likely issue its ruling on July 12 against China and in favor on Philippines on the maritime claims. China made a huge blunder by opposing India's membership in NSG. This has made India come much closer to USA. China already has problems on territorial claims with all the countries in the region, including, Japan, Vietnam, South Korea, Malaysia and Indonesia. All these countries and others will join together to push China out of UN. If the Hague arbitration goes against China, there are speculations that China may withdraw from United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). I have said many times China establishing its naval base in Gwadar under CPEC will not be tolerated either by USA or India and also all countries in the region. Both China and Pakistan will pay a huge price for it. Tibet will also become free. At the opportune time Russia will join the block with USA, India, Japan, Vietnam, South Korea, Malaysia, Philippines and Australia against China. I am happy with these developments.

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