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Thaad in South Korea: US seeks to reassure China on defence system China calls on N Korea to suspend missile and nuclear tests
(35 minutes later)
The US has again sought to reassure Beijing that the deployment of an extensive missile defence system in South Korea is not a threat to China. China has proposed that North Korea suspend its tests of missile and nuclear technology to "defuse a looming crisis".
The first parts of the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense system (Thaad) were being moved into place on Tuesday. Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that in exchange, the US and South Korea could halt annual joint military drills, which consistently infuriate the North.
The system is designed to protect South Korea, and US troops based there, from missile threats from the North. The appeal comes after North Korea test-launched four missiles on Monday, breaking international sanctions.
But China fears its sophisticated radar capabilities could threaten its own military operations. In response, the US began rolling out a missile defence system in South Korea.
The first stage of the Thaad deployment came a day after North Korea test launched four ballistic missiles, a banned act under existing UN sanctions. Speaking on the sidelines of China's annual parliamentary meeting, Mr Wang said the Korean peninsula was like "two accelerating trains, coming toward each other with neither side willing to give way".
The UN Security Council on Tuesday strongly condemned the launch in a unanimous statement, calling it a grave violation of North Korea's international obligations, which risked destabilising the region. "Are the two sides really ready for a head-on collision?" he asked.
It said members "regretted" that North Korea was pursuing such technology while its citizens have "great unmet needs". A mutual halt of military operations would be the first step towards easing tensions and reopening negotiations, he said.
The Council, which will hold a closed doors meeting on Wednesday, also threatened to "take further significant measures" against North Korea, which could imply efforts to introduce a sixth round of sanctions. Thaad 'no threat to China'
Three of the North Korean missiles came down inside Japan's exclusive economic zone (EEZ), prompting Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and US President Donald Trump to say the region had entered "a new stage of threat". Three of the North Korean missiles came down inside Japan's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) on Monday, prompting Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and US President Donald Trump to say the region had entered "a new stage of threat".
The UN Security Council earlier strongly condemned the launch in a unanimous statement, calling it a grave violation of North Korea's international obligations, which risked destabilising the region.
The Council, which will meet later on Wednesday, also threatened to "take further significant measures" against North Korea, which could imply efforts to introduce a fresh round of sanctions.
Meanwhile, the US has again sought to reassure Beijing over deployment of an extensive missile defence system in South Korea.
The Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense system (Thaad) is designed to protect South Korea, and US troops based there, from North Korean missile attacks. The first elements of it were moved into place on Tuesday, hours after the North's latest launch.
What is the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense System (Thaad)?What is the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense System (Thaad)?
What impact will S Korea's expanded missile defence system have?What impact will S Korea's expanded missile defence system have?
1. The enemy launches a missile1. The enemy launches a missile
2. The Thaad radar system detects the launch, which is relayed to command and control2. The Thaad radar system detects the launch, which is relayed to command and control
3. Thaad command and control instructs the launch of an interceptor missile3. Thaad command and control instructs the launch of an interceptor missile
4. The interceptor missile is fired at the enemy projectile4. The interceptor missile is fired at the enemy projectile
5. The enemy projectile is destroyed in the terminal phase of flight5. The enemy projectile is destroyed in the terminal phase of flight
The launcher trucks can hold up to eight interceptor missiles.The launcher trucks can hold up to eight interceptor missiles.
The Thaad deployment, originally agreed under the Obama administration, has proved controversial. The Thaad deployment, originally agreed under the Obama administration, is controversial.
South Koreans living in areas which will host defence batteries are concerned they could become targets, while China has said its radar capabilities go far beyond what is required for defence and represents an encroachment of US military power. South Koreans living in areas which will host defence batteries are concerned they could become targets.
A foreign ministry spokesman said China will "resolutely take necessary measures to defend our own security interest". China has said its radar capabilities go far beyond what is required for defence and represents an encroachment of US military power and that it will "resolutely take necessary measures to defend our own security interest".
At a news briefing on Tuesday, State Department spokesman Mark Toner repeated US reassurances to China.At a news briefing on Tuesday, State Department spokesman Mark Toner repeated US reassurances to China.
He said the US had been "very clear in our conversations with China that this is not meant to be a threat, and is not a threat, to them or any other power in the region".He said the US had been "very clear in our conversations with China that this is not meant to be a threat, and is not a threat, to them or any other power in the region".
The US was "actively engaged" with its regional partners, he said, to address North Korea's "continuing provocative behaviour and actions".The US was "actively engaged" with its regional partners, he said, to address North Korea's "continuing provocative behaviour and actions".
Mr Toner said that North Korea would be discussed next week when Secretary of State Rex Tillerson makes his first official visits to South Korea, Japan and China.Mr Toner said that North Korea would be discussed next week when Secretary of State Rex Tillerson makes his first official visits to South Korea, Japan and China.