The Chinese government said it is ‘firmly opposed’ to the deployment of the missile-defence system after US missile launchers and other equipment arrived in South Korea today.
South Korea decided to install the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system in July in response to missile threat from North Korea.
However, China has objected that THAAD’s radar can penetrate its territory.
Foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said today that China will ‘definitely be taking necessary measures to safeguard our own security interest’.
He added ‘all consequences’ resulting from that will be borne by the US and South Korea.
The equipment arrived just a day after North Korea test-launched four ballistic missiles into the ocean near Japan.
But South Korea has said it was considering filing a complaint against China to the World Trade Organisation over what it called trade retaliations.
South Korean companies in China have reported cyber attacks, store closures and fines, while the the country’s media has called for a boycott of South Korean good and services.
Airline Jeju Air has seen an application for flights between the two countries rejected several times this year, however, no reason has been given.
Reports also stated the government ordered that tour operators in China stop selling trips to South Korea last week.
But Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said its stance that law-abiding foreign companies are welcome and will be protected remains the same.
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