China tells ROK it opposes THAAD

China has reiterated its opposition to deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense - an advanced US missile defense system - in the Republic of Korea, as a special envoy visited Seoul.

Wu Dawei, China's special representative on Korean Peninsula affairs, started a visit to the ROK on Sunday and met with Hwang Joon-kook, ROK special representative for Korean Peninsula peace and security affairs, who is also Seoul's top envoy to the Six-Party Talks.

Wu talked with Hwang before meeting separately with ROK Deputy National Security Advisor Cho Tae-yong and ROK First Vice-Foreign Minister Lim Sung-nam on Monday, China's Foreign Ministry said.

During his visit to the ROK, Wu "made clear a solemn stance" on the United States' intention to deploy the THAAD system in the ROK, and stressed China's opposition to the deployment, said Foreign Ministry spokesman HongLei.

Wu was quoted as saying he hoped that the ROK attaches importance to China's concerns over the possible deployment of the THAAD system.

Wu and ROK officials agreed to support the UN Security Council in passing a new resolution on the nuclear test and satellite launch by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, according to Hong.

Yu Shaohua, a researcher at the China Institute of International Studies, said she believes part of the visit's purpose was to dispel misunderstanding and promote agreement and cooperation between China and the ROK.

On Feb 25, The Associated Press reported that the US and China had reached an agreement on a UN resolution over theDPRK.

Shi Yuanhua, a researcher at Fudan University of China's relations with neighboring countries, said China has made it clear that the purpose of sanctions is to bring the DPRK back to the negotiating table.

wangqingyun@chinadaily.com.cn