(VOVworld) – The Chinese Defense Ministry said on Thursday that China’s military will carry out live-fire military exercises and test new military equipment in order to firmly safeguard national security and regional peace and stability in response to the US’s deployment of its THAAD anti-missile system in South Korea.

Facilities to deploy THAAD have been transported to Seongju, Southeast of South Korea on April 27 (Photo: Yonhap/ VNA)

The statement was made the same day that South Korea and the US agreed on swift punitive measures against North Korea for further provocative acts. South Korea said installation of the THAAD system is proceeding normally despite strong protests from China and South Koreans. China said THAAD’s range extends to Chinese territory and therefore affects its national security.