"The U.S. benefits from creating risks of war"
China calls for united efforts against US attempts to provoke conflict and an arms race in the Asia-Pacific region, Chinese Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui told Izvestia. According to him, Washington is forcibly pushing forward the deployment of Typhon systems, which remain in the Philippines, indefinitely. At the same time, the systems deployed on the island of Luzon are capable of hitting targets in the Taiwan Strait, the South China Sea and in economically developed areas in eastern China, and the missiles used in them can carry nuclear warheads. On the probability of missile deployment in Japan and South Korea and the risks of a localized nuclear war in the APR - in the diplomat's exclusive interview with Izvestia.
"China consistently and resolutely opposes the US deployment of medium-range missiles in the Asia-Pacific region"
- After the US withdrew from the Treaty on Long-Term Disarmament in 2019, the country began to actively develop and deploy land-based intermediate-range missiles both in the Asia-Pacific region and in Europe. How do these actions affect the international arms control system?
- The issue of intermediate-range missiles is related to global strategic stability, regional peace and security, and strategic mutual trust among great powers. Under the Treaty on the Elimination of Intermediate-Range and Shorter-Range Missiles (INF Treaty), signed by the US and the USSR in 1987, both sides committed to destroy, not produce or test land-based cruise missiles and ballistic missiles with ranges of 500 to 5,500 kilometers and their launchers.
For just over 20 years, the US has consistently withdrawn from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, the Intermediate-Range and Shorter-Range Missile Elimination Treaty, and the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). This has undermined the international arms control system and dealt a serious blow to global strategic stability.
- In April, the US deployed Typhon mobile launchers in the Philippines during an exercise, and they still remain there. Some experts believe that this move was made to intimidate China. What is Beijing's assessment of the US actions?
- The Typhon complex is the first ground-based intermediate-range missile defense system developed by the US after its withdrawal from the MTCR in 2019. Typhon launchers have the ability to engage targets with missiles at a range of up to 1,800 kilometers. The missiles used as part of the Typhon complex have been banned by the DRMD. The complex is the result of the US policy of building up arms and preparing for conflicts, and withdrawing from international arms control agreements.
Intermediate-range missile systems are strategic and offensive weapons whose deployment clearly signals a resumption of the Cold War. The deployment of such systems by the U.S. in the Asia-Pacific region would significantly increase the threat to regional security and create serious risks of conflict in the region. The US military base on the Philippine island of Luzon is only 400 kilometers from Taiwan. The Typhon batteries deployed there are capable of hitting targets in the Taiwan Strait, the South China Sea, and in economically developed areas of East China, including the deltas of the Yangtze and Zhujiang rivers. Moreover, these weapons could threaten the security of all of Southeast Asia. The missiles used in these systems are capable of carrying nuclear warheads, which could increase the risk of a localized nuclear war.
The Typhon missile system
China consistently and firmly opposes the US deployment of intermediate-range missiles in the Asia-Pacific region and the strengthening of its military presence near China's borders to gain unilateral military advantage. The US should respect the security of other countries, stop provoking military confrontation and undermining peace and stability in the region. Instead, it is obliged to take concrete measures to mitigate strategic risks.
The Philippines must clearly realize the true intentions of the US and the grave consequences that could result from granting the requests to host the complex. As the saying goes, "bring the wolf in the house and you bring trouble on yourself." According to another proverb, if you "take the heat from others", you are bound to pay the consequences in the end.
"The US action can be interpreted as a step backwards in history"
- According to recent reports, the US and the Philippines have decided to leave the Typhon system in the northern Philippines indefinitely. There is speculation that the US may resort to old tricks and deploy medium-range missiles to Japan and South Korea under the pretext of exercises. Are there risks involved?
- History and reality repeatedly confirm that there is always an increased risk of conflict where U.S. weapons are deployed. During the Cold War, the Cuban Missile Crisis nearly brought the world to a nuclear catastrophe. In recent years, following the deployment of U.S. missile defense systems in Eastern Europe, tensions in the region have steadily increased, creating a "security dilemma." With the US announcement of the deployment of intermediate-range missile systems in Denmark and Germany, an ever-increasing arms race has begun in Europe. These lessons have profound implications.
In April of this year, the U.S., citing military exercises, deployed the Typhon system in the Philippines. This is the first deployment of U.S. intermediate-range missiles outside the country and in the Asia-Pacific region since the end of the Cold War, and the first deployment of such weapons since the U.S. withdrew from the MTCR in 2019.
The Typhon missile system
The US action can be interpreted as a step back in history, provoking confrontation between military blocs, strengthening military alliances and upsetting the strategic balance in the region. This creates new tensions and confrontation. Such actions could create a "broken windows" effect, facilitating the proliferation of intermediate-range missile technology to allies and opening a Pandora's box for the deployment of strategic forces and weapons in the Asia-Pacific region. As a result, the region could become embroiled in an endless arms race. Missiles aimed at each other would create conditions in which countries in the region would be forced to retaliate in order to ensure their security. This, in turn, would set off a vicious chain reaction.
Some countries have already announced their intention to develop more new types of missiles for countermeasures, including nuclear deterrents, should the need arise. I am confident that all stakeholders will realize the high sensitivity and danger of this issue and will join hands to counter the US intentions to provoke conflict escalation and arms race and maintain security and stability in the region.
"Some states, trying to maintain their positions, create chaos and incite conflicts in self-interest"
- In recent years, attention to the development of the Asia-Pacific region has been increasing, and this region has already become the most promising and dynamic in the world. What does its stability depend on?
- APAC is home to 60% of the world's population and generates about 70% of the global gross product, making it the fastest growing and most promising region. Over the past decades, long-term peace and stability in this territory have become key factors in its rapid development. The future and fate of APR countries depend on their good-neighborly relations, friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation, as well as on peace, stability and prosperity in the region.
The Asia-Pacific region needs peace and development, not conflicts and confrontations. Some States, in an attempt to maintain their positions, have created chaos and incited conflict for self-interest whenever other regions are striving for recovery and development. In recent years, the U.S. has profited from creating risks of war, leading to constant conflict and humanitarian crises in affected countries.
"Their goal is to create chaos and 'loot while they burn'"
- How will the deployment of the US Typhon missile system in the Philippines affect the achievement of sustainable peace and shared prosperity in the region?
- The US by creating a "security alert" is forcibly promoting the deployment of the Typhon system in the Asia-Pacific region - this is essentially putting artillery at our doorstep and bringing the risks of war to our doorstep. Their goal is to create chaos and "loot while burning". In the Philippines, many reasonable people have openly opposed the deployment of the Typhon system, condemning U.S. plans to turn the country into a battlefield and calling for the preservation of Philippine independence and autonomy.
Scholars and people in the region have expressed alarm over the possible transfer of U.S. hostilities to their territories and against the deployment of U.S. medium-range missiles in the APAC. We need to remain vigilant and counter any dangerous tendencies of "natoization of the Asia-Pacific region", to reliably ensure our security and not allow external countries or a handful of politicians to manipulate us, turning the APR into an "arena of confrontation of powers".
- How do you see the overall security architecture in the Asia-Pacific region? What role is China ready to play?
- The current achievements in the development and stability of the Asia-Pacific region have not been easy; they are the result of the joint wisdom and efforts of the peoples living there. The region should continue to be one friendly family, stay away from military conflicts, and preserve peace, prosperity and harmony. Each country should actively participate in building a new model of regional security cooperation based on equal engagement, no block confrontation, frank and friendly communication, and openness, transparency and equality.
China is willing to work together with the international community, including APAC countries, to realize the global security initiative, jointly open a bright path to sustainable peace and comprehensive security, and join hands to form a community of common destiny for mankind so that the Asia-Pacific region remains a pillar of global development and stability.
