https://www.rt.com/news/386828-china-thaad-south-korea/
China demands ‘immediate’ halt to THAAD deployment in South Korea
Published time: 2 May, 2017 11:58
Edited time: 2 May, 2017 13:32
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China demands ‘immediate’ halt to THAAD deployment in South Korea
Protesters and police stand by as trailers carrying US THAAD missile defence equipment enter a deployment site in Seongju, early on April 26, 2017. © YONHAP / AFP
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Beijing has called for an immediate stop to the deployment of the US Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-missile system to South Korea and is ready to protect its interests, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang voiced the government’s position against the move during a briefing on Tuesday.
Read more
FILE PHOTO: China's Liaoning aircraft carrier conducts a drill in an area of South China Sea © Reuters China to go on with drills, weapons tests in response to THAAD deployment – Defense Ministry
"We oppose the deployment of the US missile system to South Korea and call on all parties to immediately stop this process. We are ready to take necessary measures to protect our interests," he said, adding that “China’s position on the THAAD issue has not changed.”
The spokesperson didn’t specify what protective measures China had in mind. However, responding to the THAAD installation, China announced on Thursday that it will stage live-fire exercises and test new weapons to protect its security.
Beijing has previously voiced concerns over the THAAD system and joint US-South Korean drills near the Korean Peninsula, consistently urging all the parties involved to find a peaceful solution to the volatile situation in the region.
Backed by Russia, it also proposed a halt to military drills in exchange for an end to Pyongyang’s missile and nuclear tests during a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) session held in New York on Friday.
Moscow considers the stationing of the THAAD system to be an “additional destabilizing factor for the region” amid alarmingly increasing tensions. It has called on Washington and Seoul to reconsider the decision.
READ MORE: ‘Ready to intercept North’s missiles’: US THAAD missile defense system goes operational in S. Korea
Recently installed in South Korea, the THAAD system is aimed at detecting and shooting down missiles. It became operational on Monday and is able “to intercept North Korean missiles and defend the Republic of Korea [South Korea]," according to US Forces Korea spokesman Col. Rob Manning.
The deployment of the US defense system triggered protests in South Korea, with citizens saying that it would only provoke an attack from their northern neighbor.
BREAKING: US THAAD anti-missile deployment in S. Korea sparks clashes between locals & police https://t.co/8B0c8uhWN1
— RT America (@RT_America) April 25, 2017
Seoul was also reportedly asked to pay for the US missile shield, as President Donald Trump called on South Korea to cough up for the “phenomenal billion-dollar system.” He received a firm rebuke in response, however.
READ MORE: Trump wants S. Korea to foot $1bn THAAD bill, Seoul says no
The THAAD deployment comes as a part of other US steps to deter North Korea from testing nuclear and non-nuclear missiles. Pyongyang held two failed missiles tests in April, also threating to sink US warships and submarines in South Korean waters in the event of any provocation.
China demands ‘immediate’ halt to THAAD deployment in South Korea
Published time: 2 May, 2017 11:58
Edited time: 2 May, 2017 13:32
Get short URL
China demands ‘immediate’ halt to THAAD deployment in South Korea
Protesters and police stand by as trailers carrying US THAAD missile defence equipment enter a deployment site in Seongju, early on April 26, 2017. © YONHAP / AFP
AddThis Sharing Buttons
Share to Facebook2.9KShare to TwitterShare to Reddit13Share to StumbleUponShare to Google+Share to Tumblr
Beijing has called for an immediate stop to the deployment of the US Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-missile system to South Korea and is ready to protect its interests, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang voiced the government’s position against the move during a briefing on Tuesday.
Read more
FILE PHOTO: China's Liaoning aircraft carrier conducts a drill in an area of South China Sea © Reuters China to go on with drills, weapons tests in response to THAAD deployment – Defense Ministry
"We oppose the deployment of the US missile system to South Korea and call on all parties to immediately stop this process. We are ready to take necessary measures to protect our interests," he said, adding that “China’s position on the THAAD issue has not changed.”
The spokesperson didn’t specify what protective measures China had in mind. However, responding to the THAAD installation, China announced on Thursday that it will stage live-fire exercises and test new weapons to protect its security.
Beijing has previously voiced concerns over the THAAD system and joint US-South Korean drills near the Korean Peninsula, consistently urging all the parties involved to find a peaceful solution to the volatile situation in the region.
Backed by Russia, it also proposed a halt to military drills in exchange for an end to Pyongyang’s missile and nuclear tests during a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) session held in New York on Friday.
Moscow considers the stationing of the THAAD system to be an “additional destabilizing factor for the region” amid alarmingly increasing tensions. It has called on Washington and Seoul to reconsider the decision.
READ MORE: ‘Ready to intercept North’s missiles’: US THAAD missile defense system goes operational in S. Korea
Recently installed in South Korea, the THAAD system is aimed at detecting and shooting down missiles. It became operational on Monday and is able “to intercept North Korean missiles and defend the Republic of Korea [South Korea]," according to US Forces Korea spokesman Col. Rob Manning.
The deployment of the US defense system triggered protests in South Korea, with citizens saying that it would only provoke an attack from their northern neighbor.
BREAKING: US THAAD anti-missile deployment in S. Korea sparks clashes between locals & police https://t.co/8B0c8uhWN1
— RT America (@RT_America) April 25, 2017
Seoul was also reportedly asked to pay for the US missile shield, as President Donald Trump called on South Korea to cough up for the “phenomenal billion-dollar system.” He received a firm rebuke in response, however.
READ MORE: Trump wants S. Korea to foot $1bn THAAD bill, Seoul says no
The THAAD deployment comes as a part of other US steps to deter North Korea from testing nuclear and non-nuclear missiles. Pyongyang held two failed missiles tests in April, also threating to sink US warships and submarines in South Korean waters in the event of any provocation.
