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.

Lieutenant General Viktor Poznikhir from Russia's military's General Staff (L) and Major General Cai Jun from the Joint Staff Department of China's Central Military Commission (R) take questions from the press during a joint briefing on Oct. 11, 2016 on the sidelines of the 7th Xiangshan Forum. [Photo/Ministry of National Defense]

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.

The THAAD system's radar has a detection range of 2,000 KM, placing Chinese and Russian coastal military installations in its range. Moreover, Chinese military analysts believe that North Korea's conventional weapons are the real threat to the South, rather than its nuclear missiles, given the limited space of the Korean Peninsula.

Maj. Gen. Cai said that the deployment of THAAD will severely damage the national security interests of China and Russia, among others, and therefore China strongly urges the United States and South Korea to re-consider.

China always advocates political and diplomatic avenues to achieve common security and a peaceful international environment characterized by equality, mutual trust and cooperation, said Maj. Gen. Cai.

Lt. Gen. Poznikhir said that the anti-ballistic missile (ABM) issue is a critical matter for the advancement of nuclear disarmament, the prevention of a space arms race and the assurance of global strategic security and stability.

He said that the U.S. withdrawal from the Treaty on the Limitation of Anti-Ballistic Missile Systems has caused a negative impact on global strategic stability. Furthermore, the U.S.-led ABM deployments in Europe and Asia-Pacific intend to contain Russian and Chinese strategic nuclear strength, which will further reinforce the U.S. global hegemony.

Russia is urging the United States to provide a legally-binding guarantee that the U.S. and European ABM systems do not target Russia's strategic nuclear forces.

Lt. Gen. Poznikhir reiterated the suggestion for forming the Treaty on Prevention of the Placement of Weapons in Outer Space and of the Threat or Use of Force against Outer Space Objects, which is advocated jointly by Russia and China.

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