China Warns of Arms Race After U.S. Deploys Missile Defense in South Korea

[Little Tich]

Source: New York Times

HONG KONG — The United States said on Tuesday that it had begun deploying an advanced and contentious missile defense system in South Korea, prompting China to warn of a new atomic arms race in a region increasingly on edge over North Korea’s drive to build a nuclear arsenal.

The American announcement came a day after the simultaneous launch of four missiles by North Korea into waters off the Japanese coast, which Pyongyang said was a drill for striking American bases in Japan. The feat, footage of which was broadcast on state television, raised concern about the North’s ability to overwhelm the new defense system being deployed.

Hours later, North Korea further unnerved the region by declaring it was blocking all Malaysians from leaving its soil, sharply escalating a dispute over last month’s assassination of Kim Jong-nam, the half brother of North Korea’s dictator, Kim Jong-un.

Malaysia has accused several North Korean citizens of using VX nerve agent to kill Mr. Kim in a case that has reminded the world of Pyongyang’s access to a stockpile of banned chemical weapons on top of its nuclear program — and its willingness to take extreme measures.


Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/07/world/asia/thaad-missile-defense-us-south-korea-china.html?_r=0

[nycbos]

1. THADD can only be used for defensive purposes.

Memo to China: if you don't like this action China do doming about the deranged madman in North Korea.


And if anyone thinks this is a defense of Trump it was Obama's decision to deploy THADD. I supported it then and I support it now.

[Cosmocat]

4. Thisis three dimensional chess

China lets NK do its crazy shit to keep everyone on edge and in now win situations over there.

I get what you are saying but man, this is cuban missle crisis type stuff, where you had JFK and his inner circle tap dancing around idiots on every flank - in Russia, in our military ...

You could trust BHO, Hill or even Bernie to make measured and safe decisions on this kind of high level stuff, but Trump and his team of anarchist morons ... Hell, simpletons like Cruz and Rubio would look good now.

[Adrahil]

2. If the arms race is for weapons systems used only for defense, I'm okay with that. ;) NT

[nitpicker]

3. BBC: China calling for NK and US to back off

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-39202088

China calls on N Korea to suspend missile and nuclear tests

2 hours ago

From the section Asia
28comments

China has proposed that North Korea suspend its tests of missile and nuclear technology to "defuse a looming crisis". Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that in exchange, the US and South Korea could halt annual joint military drills, which consistently infuriate the North.

The appeal comes after North Korea test-launched four missiles on Monday, breaking international sanctions. In response, the US began rolling out a missile defence system in South Korea.

Speaking on the sidelines of China's annual parliamentary meeting, Mr Wang said the Korean peninsula was like "two accelerating trains, coming toward each other with neither side willing to give way". "Are the two sides really ready for a head-on collision?" he asked. A mutual halt of military operations would be the first step towards easing tensions and reopening negotiations, he said.
(snip)

[burnbaby]

5. oh boy

I'm not liking this one bit