Xi says China opposes US THAAD deployment in ROK

HANGZHOU - President Xi Jinping said China opposes the deployment of a US missile shield in the Republic of Korea, asking the United States to respect China's strategic security interests.

Xi made the remarks Saturday when meeting with his US counterpart Barack Obama in the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou on the eve of a G20 summit.

Xi said China has been sticking to denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula, safeguarding peace and stability of the peninsula, and solving relevant issues through dialogue and consultation.

He urged all parties to refrain from any act that could escalate regional tension and collectively make positive efforts to put the situation back on the right track.

China opposes the deployment of the anti-missile system of Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) by the United States in the Republic of Korea, Xi said.