China voices concern over ROK-US joint military drill

BEIJING -- China has expressed its serious concern to parties involved in the joint military drill by the Republic of Korea (ROK) and the United States, which brought the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson and other US strategic assets to the Korean Peninsula.

"The current situation on the Korean Peninsula is highly sensitive and complicated," said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang. "Parties concerned should do more to ease tensions on the Peninsula and maintain the peace and stability of northeast Asia."

He stressed China's opposition to the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) in the ROK is consistent and clear.

"We urged relevant parties to stop deployment and refrain from going too far along the wrong track," he said.

Combined forces of the two allies launched the Foal Eagle field training exercise on Wednesday, which is scheduled to last until the end of April, according to local media reports.