China has every right to be concerned about THAAD
By Sava Hassan (chinadaily.com.cn) Updated: 2016-08-02 09:54Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the deployment of the anti-missile system could jeopardize "China's legitimate national security interests."
The Chinese government expressed concern that THAAD has a range that could hit weapons in China, which makes the nation vulnerable to future attacks since it will not able to defend its borders due to destroying its weapons by THAAD.
Political experts empathized with the Chinese concern emphasizing that installing missile system in China’s backyard should raise suspicion in the minds of Chinese officials. They believe that China has every right to be concerned about the deployment of THAAD.
The Chinese government stated that there is other effective means to keep peace in the region such attempting to denuclearize the region. Accomplishing that task will lead to eliminate the need to deploy THAAD.
Other Asian nations expressed the same concern that the USA wish to spread its influence to contain the region. Another American objective from deploying the system is diminishing the effectiveness of the Chinese and other Asian nations’ weapons.
North Korea strongly reacted to the announcement by stating that it will treat US detainees under wartime law. It also informed the US that it will severe the only channel of communication between them at the United Nation.
The North Korean government pledged physical response to the deployment of THAAD. It said that military strike would be delivered from the moment THAAD is deployed in the South. In a statement issued by the government, it insisted that the North Korean army will make merciless retaliatory strikes to reduce South Korea into a sea of flames and debris.
The Russian emphasized that deploying the system will undermine the strategic balance established both in and beyond the Asian-Pacific Region. It will lead to nothing but complicating the mission of denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula.
Most of the countries in the region expressed reservations regarding the deployment. They believe that it will lead to escalating the already existing tension instead of reducing it.
The common Chinese individuals feel nervous about having THAAD deployed at their backyard. The announcement led to intensifying their feelings of resentment toward the American continuous interference in regional matters. They hope that the Chinese government will take a strong stand in opposing the deployment.
Most people worldwide, including yours truly, hope that the USA and world leaders including China will focus on denuclearizing the region which will eliminate the need to deploying the THAAD system.
Deploying the system accomplishes nothing but creating an environment of regional tension that may lead to disastrous consequences.
As for the South Korean government, it should reflect upon the impact of deploying the system on its relations with its Asian neighbors before actually installing it.
Sava Hassan is a Canadian Egyptian educator.
The opinions expressed here are those of the writer and don't represent views of China Daily website.
It has been a while since I've contributed to this Forum and I figured that since now I am officially on summer holiday and another school year is behind me I would share a post with you.
