Chinese, S. Korean media debate THAAD missile defense system’s impact
The Eighth 10 Plus Three ( ASEAN plus China, Japan and South Korea) Media Cooperation Forum Commentators’ Dialogue on Monday in Beijing became a scene for spirited debate, as Chinese and South Korean media leaders sparred over the implications of the THAAD missile defense system’s deployment.
Lu Xinning, a deputy editor- in- chief of China’s People’s Daily, said the deployment of the US’ THAAD ( Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) missile defense system in South Korea affects Northeast Asia’s security, and Asian media must acknowledge and analyze the problem to provide a rational basis for a discussion of it among the public.
However, Park Young Whan, news coverage executive director of Seoul public broadcaster KBS, said China needs to be more understanding of South Korea’s decision because “THAAD is a defensive system which protects South Korea from the DPRK’s threat.”
Hu Xijin, editor- in- chief of the Global Times, responded that “THAAD is controlled by the US rather than South Korea.” He argued that the real function of the system is to weaken China’s and Russia’s nuclear deterrent capacities because its radar in South Korea can observe missile launching exercises within Chinese territory.
“This will seriously disrupt strategic balance between China, Russia and the US and is more dangerous than North Korea’s nuclear program,” Hu said.
The forum also included a discussion of the power of discourse.
Lü Yansong, another deputy editorin- chief of the People’s Daily, said Asian media should hold power over discourse introducing Asia to the world, rather than allowing Western media to become the authority to speak on Asian stories.
Lü stressed that Asian countries need the consensus of a “community of destiny” because they “have similar historical experiences, common interests, common destinies, and common responsibilities.” Therefore, Asian countries need to abandon zero- sum ideology to reach consensus and increase mutual understanding.