The United States' intention to build a missile defense system will have negative effects on regional and global stability and go against the security needs of countries in the Asia-Pacific region, a high-ranking Foreign Ministry official said on Wednesday.

Luo Zhaohui, director-general of the department of Asian affairs with the Foreign Ministry, made the remarks during an online chat hosted by People's Daily, a major Chinese newspaper.

Luo noted that, after the Democratic People's Republic of Korea announced its intention to launch a satellite, the US stepped up coordination with Japan and the Republic of Korea to prepare to adjust its military deployment in Northeast Asia and the Asia-Pacific region.

"The Chinese government always insists that (countries) should start by maintaining global strategic stability and promoting strategic mutual trust between major powers to handle the issue of missile defense prudently," Luo said.

According to Reuters, a US defense official said on March 26 that the US is seeking to build a missile defense system in Asia and the Middle East, similar to the one in Europe, to help relevant countries ward off threats from Iran and the DPRK, and prevent possible long-range missile threats against the US in the future.

"Building a missile defense system in the Asia-Pacific region will have negative effects on global and regional strategic stability, and go against the security needs of the countries in the Asia-Pacific region," Luo said.

China, over many years, has clearly demanded through various channels that the US fully respect and take care of the security concerns of relevant parties, including China, act prudently on the issue of missile defense and solve the problem of missile proliferation through political and diplomatic means, Luo said.

"We also urge relevant countries in the Asia-Pacific region to act prudently in cooperating with the US on missile defense, and not develop or deploy missile defense systems that exceed the needs of its development," Luo said.

Luo added that China also "firmly objects to providing assistance in missile defense to Taiwan in any way".

chengguangjin@chinadaily.com.cn