BEIJING: The deployment of a US missile defence system in South Korea would “seriously damage” regional security in northeast Asia, China said on Friday, adding it strongly opposed the move.

The deployment of the THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defence) system announced by the US and South Korea would “seriously damage the strategic security interests of countries in the region including China”, Beijing’s foreign ministry said in a statement posted online.

“China strongly urges the US and South Korea to stop the ‘THAAD’ anti-missile system deployment process,” the statement said, adding the system would not aid the “denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula”.

China is North Korea’s largest trading partner and has been its key diplomatic protector for decades. But relations have soured over Pyongyang’s nuclear tests and long-range missile launches, with Beijing supporting UN sanctions.

Still, analysts say it is concerned over any build up of US power on its doorstep, and values Pyongyang as a strategic bulwark.

Chinese President Xi Jinping stressed the importance of “friendly relations” to a visiting North Korean official last month, even after the envoy reportedly told Chinese officials Pyongyang would continue with its internationally condemned nucl­ear programme.

Published in Dawn, July 9th, 2016