China, Russia agree on anti-missile system stance

China and Russia agreed on Thursday to adopt further countermeasures in response to the planned deployment of a US-led anti-missile system in the Republic of Korea, in an effort to safeguard the interests of both sides as well as the strategic balance in the region.

They announced the agreement in Moscow at the sixth China-Russia consultation on the security situation in Northeast Asia.

The meeting was co-chaired by Assistant Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou and Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov, and attended by diplomatic and defense officials from both countries.

According to a statement released after the meeting, the two countries reiterated their serious concerns and firm opposition to Washington and Seoul's attempt to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system in Seoul.

They urge the two countries to respect the security concerns of Beijing and Moscow, and stop the deployment process, it said.

The US and the ROK announced in July that the advanced anti-missile system, which could cover parts of China, will be deployed in Seoul in response to threats from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

China and Russia also agreed that the current situation on the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia are complicated and sensitive. They urged restraint on related parties and not to take measures that intensified tensions.

They reaffirmed their insistence on the goal of denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, safeguarding peace and stability, and searching for solutions through dialogue and consultation.

The two sides also agreed to strengthen communication and coordination in addressing the situation in Northeast Asia.