China has every right to be concerned about THAAD

By Sava Hassan | chinadaily.com.cn | Updated: 2016-08-02 09:54

A Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptor is launched during a successful intercept test, in this undated handout photo provided by the US Department of Defense, Missile Defense Agency. [Photo/Agencies]

Recently, South Korea announced that it will deploy the defensive system THAAD in the country's south. The South Korean government justified its decision by stating that its objective is protecting its citizens from unexpected future attacks especially from North Korea.

Before venturing into the impact of deploying THAAD upon the relations between the nations in the region specifically and its consequences regarding the world peace generally, here's a brief introduction of the system.

THAAD is an acronym that stands for Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system. Its mechanism is based upon shooting down short and intermediate ballistic missiles before they strike their targets. Using Kinetic energy, the system will destroy the attacking missiles.

It is too obvious that South Korea is suspicious of the intentions of North Korea which possesses such weapons.

The system consists of five fundamental components. The interceptions, using the radar, will detect any incoming missile that attempts to attack the South Korean nation.

With the help of the fire control and support equipment, the launchers will fire projectiles to destroy the attacking missiles.

Due to the fact that the system has no warheads on its missiles, it is potentially safer than colliding with the incoming nuclear missiles. According to nuclear experts, destroying them with the system will not cause nuclear explosion.

The system has been used by the US for several years to protect units in Guam and Hawaii.

The South Korean officials explained the need to deploy the system emphasizing the fact that North Korea, in defiance with the international community, continues to develop nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles. Consequently, it is the responsibility of the South Korean government and its alliances to maintain a viable defense system against aggressive actions from North Korea. They believe that THAAD will accomplish that objective.

Despite statement from the US that the main objective of deploying the system is protecting South Korea from future attacks from North Korea, the project is causing a great deal of controversy.

China and Russia expressed great concern about the impact of deploying the system. They believe that it will lead to militarizing of the peninsula and escalating the already existing tension in the region. They emphasized that the US has a devious motive which is intensifying its presence in South Asia.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the deployment of the anti-missile system could jeopardize "China's legitimate national security interests."

The Chinese government expressed concern that THAAD has a range that could hit weapons in China, which makes the nation vulnerable to future attacks since it will not able to defend its borders due to destroying its weapons by THAAD.

Political experts empathized with the Chinese concern emphasizing that installing missile system in China's backyard should raise suspicion in the minds of Chinese officials. They believe that China has every right to be concerned about the deployment of THAAD.

The Chinese government stated that there is other effective means to keep peace in the region such attempting to denuclearize the region. Accomplishing that task will lead to eliminate the need to deploy THAAD.

Other Asian nations expressed the same concern that the USA wish to spread its influence to contain the region. Another American objective from deploying the system is diminishing the effectiveness of the Chinese and other Asian nations' weapons.

North Korea strongly reacted to the announcement by stating that it will treat US detainees under wartime law. It also informed the US that it will severe the only channel of communication between them at the United Nation.

The North Korean government pledged physical response to the deployment of THAAD. It said that military strike would be delivered from the moment THAAD is deployed in the South. In a statement issued by the government, it insisted that the North Korean army will make merciless retaliatory strikes to reduce South Korea into a sea of flames and debris.

The Russian emphasized that deploying the system will undermine the strategic balance established both in and beyond the Asian-Pacific Region. It will lead to nothing but complicating the mission of denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula.

Most of the countries in the region expressed reservations regarding the deployment. They believe that it will lead to escalating the already existing tension instead of reducing it.

The common Chinese individuals feel nervous about having THAAD deployed at their backyard. The announcement led to intensifying their feelings of resentment toward the American continuous interference in regional matters. They hope that the Chinese government will take a strong stand in opposing the deployment.

Most people worldwide, including yours truly, hope that the USA and world leaders including China will focus on denuclearizing the region which will eliminate the need to deploying the THAAD system.

Deploying the system accomplishes nothing but creating an environment of regional tension that may lead to disastrous consequences.

As for the South Korean government, it should reflect upon the impact of deploying the system on its relations with its Asian neighbors before actually installing it.

Sava Hassan is a Canadian Egyptian educator.

The opinions expressed here are those of the writer and don't represent views of China Daily website.