(Yicai Global) Sept. 7 -- China firmly opposes the deployment of 'SADE' -- as the acronym THAAD is transliterated into Chinese phonetics -- Geng Shuang, spokesman for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reiterated yesterday.

THAAD, which stands for 'Terminal High Altitude Area Defense' is the US anti-ballistic missile defense systems whose deployment on South Korean territory against North Korean missiles has roused China's ire over its perceived intrusive radar surveillance capabilities and strained relations between Beijing and Seoul.

China has expressed its grave concern over relevant movements, Geng said. Instead of addressing the security concerns of the countries concerned, the deployment of the THAAD system in South Korea will rupture the strategic balance in the region and harm the strategic security interests of its countries, including China. It will also heighten tension and stir opposition and compound the peninsula's issues. China strongly urges the US and South Korea to take the security interest and concerns of China and other countries seriously, immediately cease the deployment process and remove relevant equipment.

China's opposition to the US's deployment of THAAD in South Korea is clear, consistent and firm, he reiterated.

South Korea's Defense Ministry will deploy the four remaining launch vehicles for the system at 2.00 a.m. tomorrow, South Korean media reported.