China Says Pressing Ahead with Own Anti-Missile System
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - China's Defense Ministry confirmed on Thursday that it was pressing ahead with anti-missile system tests after pictures appeared on state television, amid anger at South Korea's decision to deploy an advanced US anti-missile system.
An announcement by South Korea and the US this month that they would deploy a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) unit has drawn protests from China, which warned that the system would destabilize regional security.
The decision by the US and South Korea is the latest move to squeeze increasingly isolated North Korea, but China worries the system's radar will be able to track its military capabilities. Russia also opposes the deployment, according to Reuters.
Pictures broadcast this week on Chinese television were the third time since 2010 that China has publicly indicated tests of its own anti-missile system, state media said.
"To develop suitable capabilities for missile defense is necessary for China to maintain its national security," Defense Ministry spokesman Yang Yujun told a regular monthly briefing, when asked about the footage.
"It will improve the self-defense capability of China and is not targeting any specific country and will not affect international strategic stability," he added, without elaborating.