Anti-missile systems upset 'common security'

The development of missile defense systems should be subject to international law, with the safeguarding of a "common security environment" as a precondition, a Chinese military official said on Thursday at a China-Russia joint briefing at the United Nations.

"Relevant countries should recognize safeguarding common security environment as the overriding interest, stop developing missile defense systems incompatible with the actual threats they face, and avoid harming the security interests of other relevant parties," said Zhou Shangping, Chinese representative and deputy director of the Operation Bureau of the Joint Staff Department of China's Central Military Commission. Zhou spoke at a briefing on the sidelines of the General Assembly.

Despite China's objections, the United States and the Republic of Korea began installing the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense antimissile system in the ROK this year, with more missile interceptors planned.