Full coverage: THAAD Deployment in South Korea

The plan to deploy THAAD in South Korea has received criticism from both inside and outside the country.  To discuss this, we have arms control expert Teng Jianqun, from the China Institute of International Studies.

Q1: The US claims that the missile defense system is intended to protect South Korea from possible attacks by the DPRK.  But China and Russia see a military threat. What do you think is the US's real strategic agenda?

Q2: Many South Koreans are worried that the deployment would hurt economic ties with China. A free trade area is in the works, plus South Korea benefits a lot from Chinese tourists.  How do you see prospects for relations, if THAAD finally settles near China's doorstep?