China opposes Washington's decision to deploy anti-missile system in South Korea

Beijing/Seoul, July 8 (ANI): Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Friday it strongly opposes and is dissatisfied with Washington's decision to deploy a U.S. THAAD anti-missile defence system in the Republic of Korea. South Korea and the United States earlier on Friday announced their final decision to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) in the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) despite continued oppositions from neighbouring countries. The military authorities of Washington and Seoul made a joint statement to officially announce the THAAD deployment in the USFK stationed on the Korean peninsula to tackle North Korea's nuclear and missile threats, reports Xinhua. The statement added that the THAAD deployed in South Korea will not target any other third country but will be operated only in response to the North Korea's nuclear and missile threats. A THAAD battery consisting of six mobile launchers, 48 interceptors, airborne radar and fire control system will be deployed by the end of next year and would be operated by the allied forces under the operational control of the USFK commander. The site for the deployment would be announced within weeks. China and Russia have continually opposed THAAD deployment on the Korean peninsula citing that the U.S. missile defence system far exceeds South Korea's actual defence needs, and would directly threaten the strategic security of the two countries.(ANI)