China to 'watch closely' on US THAAD program

China said on Friday it will consider taking necessary measures to safeguard national security and regional balance after the US and the ROK announced their deployment of a missile defense system.

On July 8, the US and the ROK announced their decision to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) in the ROK despite clear oppositions from related countries including China, the Defense Ministry spokesman Yang Yujun said in statement, adding that China will keep a close watch on the movements of the US and the ROK.

"China will consider the adoption of necessary measures in order to safeguard national strategic security and regional strategic balance," Yang said.