20 April 2015

Editorial: The Other Reasons China Wants to Block THAAD Deployment

By Jin Kai

China’s concerns aren’t all about security. Having THAAD in South Korea would bring diplomatic headaches as well.

There have been numerous of discussions on the possible deployment of the THAAD system in South Korea. China’s attitude has been increasingly clear and firm – Don’t do it, for everybody’s sake.

Naturally, from China’s perspective, it’s uncomfortable to have an advanced missile defense system deployed in the territory of one of its closest neighbors. This system, once truly deployed, will definitely bring about both real (military) and symbolic (psychological) concerns to China.

But beyond that, THAAD deployment, which has yet to be finally confirmed, could pose two less obvious but serious diplomatic challenges for China.

Read the full story at The Diplomat