U.S. urged to abandon its missile system deployment plan in Japan

China urged the U.S. to abandon its plan to deploy intermediate-range and short-range missile systems in Japan and called on relevant countries to recognize the U.S.' true intentions, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Wednesday.

The Japan Times reported in early September that the U.S. has expressed an interest in deploying a midrange missile system to Japan for joint military drills.

In recent years, the U.S. has been pursuing absolute military superiority, advancing military deployments in the Asia-Pacific region, including the intermediate-range missile system. The move will exacerbate an arms race, seriously heighten regional tensions, threaten peace and security in the region, and undermine global strategic balance and stability, Lin said at the routine press briefing.

The spokesperson said that China has repeatedly made clear its firm opposition on this. China urged relevant countries to act with caution and prudence concerning the issues of military security, taking concrete actions to maintain regional and international peace and stability, Lin said.

China will closely monitor the relevant developments and resolutely safeguard its own security interests, Lin noted.

Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, in July urged the U.S. and the Philippines to immediately withdraw the Typhon missile system and never deploy it again, Xinhua reported.

The system is "a strategic offensive weapon reminiscent of the Cold War," and should never have been deployed in this region, said Zhang at a press conference on July 12, noting that "forcing its allies and partners onto the U.S. war chariot will only lead to tensions and confrontation."