China warns Japan against deploying missiles in Asia-Pacific

China’s Ministry of National Defence on Thursday urged Japan not to align with U.S. plans to deploy intermediate-range missiles in the Asia-Pacific region, citing regional security risks.

The warning was delivered by Zhang Xiaogang, the ministry spokesperson, during a regular news conference.

When asked about recent reports that the U.S. army secretary had discussed the deployment of a multi-domain task force with Japan’s defence minister, Zhang expressed serious concerns.

Analysts have suggested that this may involve the installation of the Typhon intermediate-range missile system in Japan.

Zhang cautioned that such a deployment would exacerbate the trend toward an arms race in the Asia-Pacific region, posing a severe threat to regional security and disrupting global strategic balance and stability.

Voicing China’s firm opposition, Zhang said, “the Asia-Pacific needs peace and prosperity, not confrontation and conflict.’’

He urged U.S. to halt actions that heighten tensions and warned Japan not to bring a wolf into the house by accommodating U.S. military plans.

“Otherwise, Japan will be placing itself in a dangerous position,’’ Zhang noted.

The spokesperson said that China would respond firmly and resolvedly, based on how the situation develops, and in accordance with its own needs.

Xinhua/NAN