China announces anti-THAAD drills as U.S. speeds up deployment in S. Korea

China has announced to conduct live-fire drills and test new weapons to counter the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), an anti-missile defense system being deployed in South Korea by the United States.

China's Ministry of National Defence spokesperson Yang Yujun said at a monthly press briefing on Thursday that given the deployment of the THAAD during the complicated and sensitive situation on the Korean Peninsula, the Chinese military would continue to conduct targetted live-fire drills and put new weapons and military equipment through a combat test to safeguard China's security and regional stability, reports the Global Times.

According to an expert, the military drills will mainly involve the Chinese Air Force and the Rocket Force and simulate counterattack scenarios against the threat of THAAD.

The announcement came one day after the U.S. departed part of the elements of the THAAD missile defence system in south-eastern South Korea.

The South Korean Defence Ministry on Wednesday said that parts of the system had been moved to the planned deployment site. It also confirmed the start of full-scale deployment.

China and Russia have protested the THAAD deployment in South Korea, which Washington says was to mitigate growing nuclear threats from North Korea. The two neighbours are concerned that the system's powerful radar can penetrate their territory and undermine their security. They view the anti-missile system also equalising as their nuclear deterrents.

On Wednesday, China and Russia also conducted their third joint anti-missile press conference in Moscow where Cai Jun, deputy director of the combat division of the Joint Staff Department of China's Central Military Commission, said the THAAD deployment aimed to weaken the strategic capability of Beijing and Moscow, and the two countries would take further action to safeguard their security interests.