(File photo)

China voices strong discontent and resolute opposition against U.S. and South Korea’s decision to deploy the THAAD missile defence system in S. Korea on Friday.

In a statement, Chinese Foreign Ministry urges the two countries to stop the deployment process.

US and South Korea formally decided to deploy the advanced missile defence system in S.Korea on Friday morning, Beijing time.

The statement says deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) system in South Korea is not conducive to the goal of the Korean Peninsula denuclearization, is not good for the peace and stability in the peninsula, and it goes against the effort by relevant parties to resolve issues through dialogue and consultation. The move will severely harm strategic security interests of countries in the region, including China, and regional strategic balance, the Foreign Ministry says in the statement.