Wang has already advised the United States to exercise caution regarding the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue in a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry. (Photo : Getty Images)
Chinese diplomats in senior posts encouraged the United States to exercise caution in any action that might cause damage to China's interests, according to a report by China Daily. One issue officials fear will result in backlash is the deployment of a missile system allowed by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
The missile system will be launched by the United States and will cover Russia and China.
The two countries were already provoked earlier this month as the ROK launched a rocket on Feb. 7. Shortly after the missile launch, ROK and the United States began talks regarding the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system located in the U.S.'s military base in South Korea.
THAAD is one of the most advanced missile defense systems in the world. It can successfully intercept and destroy ballistic missiles, regardless whether they're inside or outside the Earth's atmosphere. THAAD particularly targets long-range missiles.
China has already reiterated that it will approach the matter diplomatically, with Foreign Minister Wang Yi stating that they will be "safeguarding China's national security interests" as a core principle in an interview with Reuters during the Munich Security Conference.
China "resolutely objects to any attempt by any country to infringe China's lawful rights and interests in the name of the peninsula nuclear issue," Wang added in a news release issued by the Foreign Ministry on Friday, Feb. 12.
"The deployment of the THAAD system by the U.S. . . . goes far beyond the defense needs of the Korean Peninsula and the coverage would mean it will reach deep into the Asian continent," Wang said. "It directly affects the strategic security interests of China and other Asian countries."
Wang has already advised the United States to exercise caution regarding the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue in a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry. The meeting took place in Munich on Feb. 12. Wang also warned against "adding new complications to regional peace and stability."
Meanwhile, Alexander Timonin, Russia's Ambassador to the ROK, expressed opposition to THAAD's possible deployment as early as Feb. 2.
