China-S. Korea exchanges need public support: Chinese Foreign Ministry

China has said the public's will is vital to its ties with South Korea as bilateral relations are strained by the latter's plan to deploy a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD).

"China takes a positive and open attitude toward exchanges and cooperation with the ROK, but it also requires appropriate basis of the public's will and public opinion," said Foreign Ministry Spokesman Geng Shuang, at a press briefing on Wednesday when asked whether China has started taking punitive measures against the ROK.

Media reports said some Chinese websites had stopped broadcasting ROK TV dramas and ROK pop stars were no longer invited to China to participate in variety shows or other programs.

Geng said that China's position opposing the deployment of the U.S. missile defense system, known as THAAD, in the ROK is "clear and consistent."

He urged Seoul side to refrain from causing more severe adverse effects on bilateral economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges and ties.