China urges U.S., Japan to withdraw Typhon missile system deployment

China urges the United States and Japan to withdraw the Typhon missile system deployed in Japan as soon as possible as the deployment poses a substantive threat to regional strategic security, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Tuesday.

Spokesperson Lin Jian said at a regular press briefing that, despite China's grave concerns, the U.S. and Japan went ahead with deploying an intermediate-range missile system in Japan under the pretext of joint exercises and training.

"China is strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposes this," Lin said.

He stressed that the U.S. deployment of such a system in Asia undermines the legitimate security interests of other countries, increases the risk of an arms race and military confrontation in the region, and poses a substantive threat to regional strategic security.

Lin urged the U.S. and Japan to respect the security concerns of other countries, heed the voices of regional countries, and correct their wrongful actions.

Due to its history of militarist aggression, Japan's military and security moves have always been viewed with great vigilance by its Asian neighbors and the international community, the spokesperson added.

China urges Japan to reflect deeply on its history of aggression as this year marks the 80th anniversary of victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, Lin said.

Japan should be cautious in its words and deeds in the military and security arenas, avoid assisting villainous acts, and refrain from doing anything that would break the trust of its Asian neighbors or undermine regional peace and stability, he said.