26 February 2016
China Interfering in THAAD Deployment Decision Process Preposterous
By Staff Writers
Space Daily

Washington (Sputnik) — The intervention by China in negotiations about US deploying its THAAD anti-ballistic missile defense system in South Korea is senseless, US Pacific Command (PACOM) Commander Harry Harris said in a briefing on Thursday.

"We are having the discussions now [about THAAD deployment]," Harris stated. "China's interference in a decision that is to be made between alliance partners, the Republic of Korea and the United States, is preposterous, especially when you consider that THAAD is not a threat to China."

Earlier on Thursday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Beijing is concerned over US plans to deploy the elements of the THAAD system to South Korea.

Yi also suggested that China's concerns should be taken into consideration.

Earlier in February, the US Department of Defense said Washington and Seoul planned to begin talks on deploying the THAAD system to South Korea to defend the region against North Korea's development of ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear weapons.

Earlier Report

China Concerned Over USPlans to Deploy THAADSystem in South Korea

Beijing is concerned over US plans to deploy the elements of THAAD missile defense systems on the territory of South Korea, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Thursday.

Earlier in February, Pentagon said that Washington and Seoul planned to begin talks on deploying the THAAD anti-ballistic missile system to South Korea to defend the region against North Korea's development of ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear weapons.

"We think that the China's concerns regarding security should be taken into consideration and China should be provided with reasonable explanations. I do not think that we ask for too much. It is a sound position," Xi said, speaking at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in the United States.

Tensions over North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs escalated after Pyongyang said on January 6 that it had successfully carried out a hydrogen bomb test, triggering condemnation from the international community.

On February 7, North Korea launched a satellite atop a long-range rocket, defying a UN Security Council resolution which bans Pyongyang from launching rockets that could be used as ballistic missiles carrying nuclear warheads.