Chinese and Russian officials once again expressed concern about potential U.S. plans to place a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, system, pictured, in South Korea to counter threats there from North Korea. Photo by U.S. Missile Defense Agency
MOSCOW,
Jan. 13 -- China and
Russia think the proposed placement of a U.S. missile defense system in South
Korea is a threat to both of their nations, and are planning responses to
protect themselves from dangers they see as a result of the anti-missile
technology being so close to them.
Diplomats from China and Russia met in Moscow Thursday, with each
releasing statements about working together to thwart what they see as a threat
to their sovereignty. Leaders in both countries have demanded the U.S. not
place the system in South Korea
A Terminal High Altitude Area
Defense system, or THAAD, may soon be positioned in South Korea by the United
States to help predict and defend against any missiles, including those with
nuclear weapons attached to them, launched from North Korea.
U.S. officials sought
in September to quell the fears of China and Russia that the system would be
used against them, calling the decision "a defensive measure aimed not at
China, but at North Korea. It is a defense-based decision, not a political
decision."
China warned
against the placement of the
system in December, saying they were concerned the THAAD radar, which is
capable of surveillance as far as 620 miles away, would be used to monitor
China.
Members of the Russian and Chinese foreign ministries warned
Thursday placement of THAAD could be detrimental to relations in the area and
may "further heighten tensions and boost arms race in the region as well
as expand military drills."
Both China and Russia have been holding military drills in the
region, including China's recent exercises to
test its first aircraft carrier in
the Western Pacific.
"In this regard, the parties pointed out that plans on
deploying the U.S. THAAD anti-missile systems to South Korea could damage
regional stability and security," the Russian ministry said Thursday. "The parties
highlighted the need to exert joint efforts aimed at finding a meaningful
strategy that would show the way out of the current deadlock and help settle
the nuclear issue and other problems facing the Korean peninsula so that the
atmosphere of confrontation in Southeast Asia evaporates ensuring peace and
stability in the region."
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