China
and Russia have jointly expressed their opposition to the imminent
deployment of THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) system,
claiming that it will not help the denuclearization of the Korean
Peninsula and will offset the global strategic balance.
At a joint
press briefing on ballistic missile defense issues held on October 11
on the sideline of the 7th Xiangshan Forum, Major General Cai Jun
from the Joint Staff Department of China's Central Military
Commission, and Lieutenant-General Viktor Poznikhir, of the Russian
General Staff both criticized the U.S.-backed plan to deploy the
THAAD in South Korea.
Maj. Gen.
Cai said that missile defense issues have a great influence on
relations between major powers, international peace and security,
arms control and disarmament.
He said that
the U.S.'s unilateral plan to develop multilevel missile defense
systems is very "unconstructive." It will worsen global
security, offset the global strategic balance, effect regional peace
and stability, and obstruct nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation
progress. "It may lead to a new arms race," he said.
Washington
and Seoul jointly decided to deploy THAAD in South Korea to defend
against potential possible nuclear missile strikes from North Korea.
The People's Liberation Army (PLA) contends that the capacity of
THAAD far exceeds the declared purpose.
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