China’s Ministry of National Defence on Thursday urged Japan not to align with U.S. plans to deploy intermediate-range missiles in the Asia-Pacific region, citing regional security risks.
The warning was delivered by Zhang Xiaogang, the ministry spokesperson, during a regular press conference.
When asked about recent reports that the U.S. army secretary had discussed the deployment of a multi-domain task force with Japan’s defence minister, Zhang expressed serious concerns.
Analysts have suggested that this may involve the installation of the “Typhon” intermediate-range missile system in Japan.
Zhang cautioned that such a deployment would exacerbate the trend toward an arms race in the Asia-Pacific region, posing a severe threat to regional security and disrupting global strategic balance and stability.
Voicing China’s firm opposition, Zhang said, “The Asia-Pacific needs peace and prosperity, not confrontation and conflict.”
He urged the U.S. to halt actions that heighten tensions and warned Japan not to “bring a wolf into the house” by accommodating the U.S. military plans. “Otherwise, Japan will be placing itself in a dangerous position,” Zhang noted.
The spokesperson said that China would respond firmly and resolvedly based on how the situation develops and in accordance with its own needs.
[XINHUANET.com]
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