China warns US, South Korea of ‘consequences’ for missile system

China has said it “firmly opposes” the deployment of a US missile defence system being deployed in South Korea.

China has said it will take unspecified measures against a US missile system being deployed in South Korea, and warned that Washington and Seoul will bear the consequences.

Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptors arrive at Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, in this handout picture provided by the United States Forces Korea (USFK) and released by Yonhap on March 7, 2017. (Reuters)

A foreign ministry spokesman said at a regular briefing on Tuesday that China “firmly opposes” the deployment of the missile defence system, after US missile launchers and other equipment needed for it arrived in South Korea.

Geng Shuang said China will “definitely be taking necessary measures to safeguard our own security interest.”

Geng added that “all consequences” resulting from that will be borne by the US and South Korea.

The equipment arrived Tuesday, a day after North Korea test-launched four ballistic missiles into the ocean near Japan.