China vows live-fire drills and weapons tests in response to THAAD deployment in South Korea

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China says it will conduct live-fire drills and test new weapons to safeguard its security in response to the US deployment of an anti-missile system in South Korea.

Defence ministry spokesman Yang Yujun on Thursday said that China resolutely opposed the deployment of the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) system in South Korea, as it would undermine regional stability.

“The Chinese military will continue to conduct practical ­targeted live-fire drills, as well as test new weapons and equipment, to defend national security and regional peace and stability,” he said.

Yang’s remarks came amid ­reports on Wednesday that the US had started to move parts of the THAAD system to their deployment site in South Korea.

Beijing-based military analyst Li Jie said Yang’s comments were meant to remind the US and South Korea that China could take measures, including “hard and soft kill” weapons, to destroy the THAAD system.

“China can use its traditional Dongfeng series short and medium-range missiles as hard-kill weapons in case there is a war,” Li said. “For soft-kill, it means it’s possible that Beijing may try using electromagnetic pulse warheads as well as electronic interference technologies to disrupt the radar system of THAAD.”