Xi tells Park China opposes deployment of THAAD in ROK

Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomes President of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Park Geun-hye before the Group of 20 (G20) summit in Hangzhou, capital of east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept 4, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

HANGZHOU - China opposes the US deployment of THAAD anti-missile system in the Republic of Korea (ROK), President Xi Jinping told ROK President Park Geun-hye on Monday.

"Mishandling the issue is not conducive to strategic stability in the region, and could intensify disputes," Xi said in Hangzhou.

China and the Republic of Korea (ROK) should put bilateral ties on the right track toward stable development, Xi said.

The two countries should cherish their existing cooperative foundation and overcome difficulties and challenges, Xi said in a meeting with ROK President Park Geun-hye during the Group of 20 summit in the eastern city of Hangzhou.

The two countries are "close neighbors with broad common interests," Xi said.

Park said the ROK government has the firm will to value and develop the ROK-China relations, she said.