China and Russia can feel in the environment, given that their boundaries are placed missiles and their neighbors have formed an Alliance with the enemy. But in this setting they are together, and these two countries, apparently, jointly take measures against the global hegemony of the United States.
According to the Russian and Chinese state media, Moscow and Beijing have acted this week with a joint statement in which they expressed their disagreement with the plans of the US and South Korea on the missile defense system THAAD.
They also intend to take countermeasures, but what exactly are they, the parties did not specify, according to the state news Agency “Xinhua”.
“We believe that the decision of the United States and South Korea to deploy a missile defense system THAAD seriously threatens the security interests of China. For the region it will also mean violation of the strategic balance. Thus, it is quite understandable if countries in the region will strongly oppose this decision, said on Friday the representative of the Ministry of foreign Affairs of China, Lu Kang (Lu Kang). — China and other countries will have to deal with the problems associated with well-founded fears about their safety, and to take the necessary measures to protect its security interests”.
This statement was made just at a time when the adviser of the President of the Republic of Korea on issues of national security Kim Hwanjin (Kim Kwan-jin) met with the future national security Advisor of the USA Michael Flynn (as Michael Flynn). According to representatives of the Korean government, councillors confirmed that work to deploy the THAAD system will continue in accordance with the plan.
Missile system designed to defeat attacking missiles and, reportedly, is a means possible reflection of a nuclear attack from North Korea.
But Russia and China fear that the system has much greater capabilities and will pose a threat too close to their borders.
They believe that the THAAD system will be used to track missiles launched from China or Russia, and its placement in South Korea is attempt geopolitical containment of these two countries.
“It is natural and logical that Russia and China took a joint stance,” says the head of the Chinese national Association for international studies, Victor Gao (Victor Gao), noting the range of THAAD.
Many representatives of the Chinese foreign policy establishment believe that THAAD is a problem at the level of the nuclear missile program of the DPRK, said the Professor, Yonsei University John Delury (John Delury).
“They see that the US is trying to build a system of deterrence”, he said.
Ear trump
Probably the mentioned application is designed for a specific audience is President-elect of Donald trump and the United States, analysts say.
According to Delury, the joint statement of Russia and China brings discord in some aspects of foreign policy concepts outlined by the trump — according to which, in particular, Russia would be a stabilizing partner, and China must be contained.
The statement was made more on the background of candidates for key positions in the future administration of the USA holds hearings on Capitol hill and Express some personal opinions that are at variance with the views of the elected President.
“For them (China and Russia) statement this is a very opportune time because the United States is in transition, and no one is sure what position will the administration trump,” says Yvonne Chu (Yvonne Chiu) from Hong Kong University.
Surrounded by together?
Joint statement against the missile defense system closer to Russia and China militarily, because both countries are worried that because of her they are surrounded by.
Differences between the parties is because of how they perceive the system considers Delury.
“The Americans are talking about it solely in a tactical sense, it is a helpful tool (along with many others) for deterring the DPRK or to intercept medium-range missiles, he said. — The Chinese consider THAAD in the strategic plan and believe that THAAD is part of a larger missile defense system on its borders”.
Such fears are experiencing and Russia.
After last year in Romania was put into operation a missile defense base, on which is placed the Aegis Ashore missile defence system, Russia is now considering the prospect of the presence of American missiles on its Eastern and Western borders.
So there is nothing surprising in the fact that when in July it was announced about placement of THAAD, she loudly was indignant.
“The involvement of the American missile defense systems in the Republic of Korea clearly goes beyond the objectives of deterrence, “the North Korean threat,” — said in October, the Deputy defense Minister of Russia Anatoly Antonov, quoted by Russian state news Agency TASS. — We do not doubt the fact that the United States supported its allies will continue to build capacity in the Asia-Pacific segment of the global missile defense, which will inevitably undermine the existing strategic balance in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond”.
Americans tend to blame Russia and China that they are exaggerating these claims, but both countries are concerned that the US is trying to surround them with its allies.
“China has very good relations with South Korea, and he doesn’t want South Korea, falling on the principle of “Domino”, was bloc led by the United States. And let’s be honest, there are Americans who argue that this is precisely what is required”.
Missile doctrine
According to Daniel Vassella (Daniel Wasserbly) from the periodical Jane’s Defense Weekly, at the end of last year, the United States for the first time in 17 years reshaped its policy on missile defense.
In the appropriation Act for national defense in the 2017 financial year is provisions, which provide for amendment in the 1999 Act on national missile defense. Now it says not against “limited” threats and powerful protection against complex threats.
This change, in all probability, will be happily received by hard-liners in the foreign policy of the USA and will help protect the U.S. and its allies from the unstable North Korea, an increasingly aggressive China (when it comes to territorial disputes), and from Russia to interfere in the Affairs and domestic policies of their neighbors (not to mention the presidential race in the US).
But from the point of view of Russia and China, this change (in combination with the spread of missile defense systems near their borders) can be seen as proof that the United States keep these two countries at gunpoint.
