U.S. Army Chief Affirms THAAD is Not a Threat to China

In a statement during his two-hour meeting with People's Liberation Army General Li Zuocheng in Beijing on Tuesday, United States Army Chief Gen. Mark A. Milley emphasized that the deployment of a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) in South Korea is "not a threat in any way" to China.

According to a report from Yonhap News, Gen. Milley also reiterated that the missile defense system is intended only at defending against North Korean threats.

Based on the Army statement released after the meeting between the two officials, "He told his counterpart that the U.S.-Republic of Korea alliance decision to deploy a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system is a defensive measure to protect South Koreans and Americans from the North Korean ballistic missile threat, not a threat in any way to China."

Last month, the United States and South Korea decided to have a THAAD battery in the country.

China has been very vocal in its opposition since the two countries announced their decision regarding the THAAD deployment. It claims that the systems, specifically it powerful "X-band" radar, can be used to monitor China's airspace and its advanced radar system. However, the two ally countries persistently deny these allegations and stressed that the system is purely defensive and created to cope with the military threats from North Korea.

Milley also conveyed that the U.S. wants to maintain open channels of communications with the Chinese military in order to lessen the risk of crisis and resolve differences.

The statement further explained, "Gen. Milley also reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to adhere to international rules and standards and encouraged the Chinese to do the same as a way of reducing regional tensions. Gen. Milley also discussed ways to deepen practical cooperation between the U.S. Army and the PLA in areas like humanitarian assistance and disaster response."

Milley's visit to China is the first leg of his nine-day trip that also includes visits to South Korea, Japan, and Hawaii.

Milley will visit the U.S. army soldiers and meet with Korean military leaders.

The Army also said in the statement regarding Milley's visit to South Korea, "While there, he will receive updates on brigade deployments, the combined U.S. and ROK 2nd Infantry Division, the relocation of the U.S. Army units to Camp Humphreys, and plans to deploy a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense to protect the Republic of Korea from North Korean ballistic missile threats."