China reiterates opposition to THAAD deployment in South Korea

Posted on : 2016-07-23 15:30 KST Modified on : 2019-10-19 20:29 KST
In report published on UN website, China also reconfirms its position on solving N. Korean nuke issue through dialogue
A June 20 implementation report from China to the UN Security Council and North Korea sanctions committee
A June 20 implementation report from China to the UN Security Council and North Korea sanctions committee

China reiterated its opposition to the deployment of a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system in an implementation report for United Nations Security Council Resolution 2270, an international measure sanctioning North Korea for its nuclear and missile development programs.

In the final section of its report published on the UN website on July 21, Beijing urges “all parties concerned . . . to avoid actions that exacerbate tensions on the Korean peninsula.”

“China opposes the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-missile system on the peninsula,” the report continues. The text was reportedly submitted around June 20.

Beijing’s decision to lump together the seemingly unrelated issues of North Korea sanctions and THAAD deployment reflect its position that the ultimate goal should be the establishment of peace on the peninsula rather than sanctions as an end in themselves. In the past, it has warned that a THAAD deployment would be a de facto extension of the US missile defense system that would disrupt the strategic balance in Northeast Asia and lead to regional security concerns. It also voiced objections to a South Korea deployment of THAAD during the adoption of UNSCR 2270 in March.

http://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=S/AC.49/2016/34

In its implementation report for the resolution, China reiterated its “three principles” for the Korean Peninsula, namely denuclearization, maintaining peace and stability, and resolving issues through dialogue and negotiation, and affirmed its stance in favor of combining denuclearization efforts with the adoption of a peace regime. It also stressed that UNSCR 2270 was intended not only as a form of punishment but as an appeal for resumption of the Six-Party Talks and expression of support for enforcement of the September 19 Joint Statement from the 2005 talks, and called for its full and complete enforcement.

The report further claims that China enforced the resolution through measures by related central government sectors and local governments in its various provinces.

Beijing also showed awareness of concerns among some in South Korea that the THAAD decision by Seoul and Washington could lead it to loosen its sanctions against Pyongyang.

“The Chinese government has never sent any signal in that regard,” a July 22 editorial in the Global Times said of the loosening of sanctions. “Why should South Korea be first to feel concern?”

“Is Seoul aware of the damage it has caused to China’s security interests and the way it has confused the newly formed shared perceptions and reasoning regarding the sanctions?” it asked.

The editorial also responded to commentaries and reports in the South Korean media urging China to reflect on whether it has fulfilled its responsibilities in addressing the North Korean nuclear issue.

“China has already paid the price in cooling relations with North Korea, and has suffered the biggest diplomatic loss from the North Korean nuclear issue,” it argued.

By Kim Oi-hyun, Beijing correspondent

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