China urges U.S., ROK to halt THAAD missile deployment

China on Friday urged the United States and the Republic of Korea (ROK) to halt the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), an advanced U.S. missile defense system, on the Korean Peninsula.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang called on the United States and the ROK to do more to benefit regional peace and stability, and face up to the reasonable concerns of regional countries, including China.

The ROK reportedly selected a golf course in the southeastern part of the country as the final site for the THAAD missile system. Defense ministers of the ROK and the United States approved the site in month-long evaluations jointly conducted by the allies, ending September 27.

We keep repeating our position that the deployment of the THAAD missile system by the United States and the ROK will not address the concerns of relevant parties, contribute to denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula, or aid the peace and stability of the Peninsula, Geng said.

The deployment will severely damage regional strategic security interests and harm the regional strategic balance, Geng said.

Geng said China will take necessary measures to safeguard its national security. Endi