China on Wednesday sidestepped a question on whether it would respond to a possible move by the United States to set up bilateral talks on the deployment of an advanced missile defense system to South Korea.
In the wake of North Korea's fourth nuclear test and launch of a long-range rocket this year, South Korea agreed to engage in talks with the U.S. that can lead to the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile system in the country.
China has long voiced concerns about the deployment of the THAAD system in South Korea, arguing that it could undermine its own national security interests.
Rose Gottemoeller, undersecretary of state for arms control and international security, told reporters in Washington that the U.S. hopes to talk with China and address its concerns about a THAAD deployment in South Korea, according to Reuters news agency.
When asked whether China would hold talks with the U.S. about the THAAD issue, China's foreign ministry spokeswoman replied, "One thing is clear, the THAAD issue is not a technical one."
"We know the danger of having such a system. While pursuing one's own security interests, one should take into consideration the others' security interests," Hua said.
"We hope that all parties can act with caution and not do anything that may hurt China's security interests," Hua said.
China's logic is that the powerful radar of the THAAD battery could target its own territory if it is deployed in South Korea.
Both Seoul and Washington officials have dismissed such concerns, saying the U.S. missile shield is defensive in nature and focuses on North Korea's missile activities. (Yonhap)
