China Lodges Representation to South Korea Amid Extra THAAD Systems Deployment

© REUTERS / USFK/Yonhap A Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptor arrives at Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, in this handout picture provided by the United States Forces Korea (USFK) and released by Yonhap on March 7, 2017. Picture taken on March 6, 2017
A Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptor arrives at Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, in this handout picture provided by the United States Forces Korea (USFK) and released by Yonhap on March 7, 2017. Picture taken on March 6, 2017 - Sputnik International
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China sends a diplomatic note of protest to South Korea disapproving "temporary" deployment of THAAD as a military deterrence against the potential nuclear threat from North Korea.

BEIJING (Sputnik) — China opposes the additional deployment of the US Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense systems in South Korea and has lodged a "stern representation" to Seoul protesting the move, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said Thursday.

On Wednesday, South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense said that four additional THAAD systems would be deployed at a base in the central country's Seongju county. On Thursday, the ministry announced that the activities aimed at "temporary deployment" of the systems had been completed and stressed that it would clarify its position to the neighboring states.

In this photo provided by U.S. Forces Korea, trucks carrying U.S. missile launchers and other equipment needed to set up the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system arrive at the Osan air base in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, Monday, March 6, 2017. - Sputnik International
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China Urges US to Halt THAAD Deployment in S Korea

"China opposes the deployment of the US THAAD system in South Korea… We have already lodged stern representation to South Korea," Geng said at a press briefing.

The United States and South Korea viewed the deployment of the THAAD system as an important step amid escalating tension on the Korean Peninsula due to Pyongyang’s determined progress of its nuclear arms program.

A number of other countries, including China and Russia opposed the deployment citing security concerns.

The move also met the strong opposition of the local residents. Hundreds of residents of South Korea's North Gyeongsang Province took to the streets to protest against the government's decision, but the protests evolved into clashes with police.

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