China firmly opposes the United States' deployment of the Typhon intermediate-range missile system in Asian countries, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun at a press briefing in Beijing on Friday.
Guo made the statement in response to a media query about reports that the U.S. military plans to deploy Typhon intermediate-range missile system in Japan for their joint military exercises in September, and ship it out of Japan after the exercises.
"We have noted relevant reports. China has expressed its serious concerns regarding relevant problems on many occasions. China always firmly opposes the US deploying the Typhon intermediate-range missile system in Asian countries. Deploying the intermediate-range missile system in Japan will further harm other countries' legitimate security interests and pose a substantial threat to strategic security in the region. The United States and Japan should earnestly respect other countries' security concerns, and must not bring in the Typhon intermediate-range missile system, so as to play a positive role in maintaining peace and stability in the region with concrete actions," Guo said.
"Owing to its militarist history of aggression, Asian neighbors and the international community always follow closely Japan's military and security moves. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-fascist War. We urge Japan to reflect deeply on its history of aggression, adhere to a peaceful path, speak and act with caution in the military and security fields, and refrain from doing things that will further lose the trust of its Asian neighbors and the international community. We also urge the U.S. to learn the lessons from history, and focus its energy and resources on the right path, not otherwise," he said.
China opposes US deployment of Typhon missile system in Asia
The three astronauts of China's recently-returned Shenzhou-20 mission on Friday shared the experiences of their dramatic 204-day space mission, including detailing the emergency procedures which were implemented to bring them safely home after their return capsule was struck by space debris.
The trio -- Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui, and Wang Jie -- met with the press in Beijing on Friday afternoon, marking their first public appearance since returning to Earth in November.
When detailing the emergency response mechanisms which were enacted prior to their scheduled return, the astronauts explained that upon discovering a triangular crack on the spacecraft's viewport window, they immediately took photos for documentation and transmitted them to the ground team, who swiftly activated an emergency plan to get the trio home safely.
Experienced mission commander Chen Dong explained how the crew had complete faith in their colleagues on the ground to find a solution to these unforeseen circumstances which led to their return being delayed.
"First, we must trust the ground team, who would anticipate everything and develop the safest return plan for us. Second, we must believe in ourselves; as well-trained astronauts, we have the ability to manage various unexpected failures. I believe that with the collaboration of astronauts and researchers on the ground, our space home will surely go farther, more steadily, and for a longer time," he said.
Following their extended stay in space as a result of the debris incident, the Shenzhou-20 crew spent a total 204 days in orbit, setting a new record for the longest duration by a single group of Chinese astronauts.
During their mission, they completed multiple payload operations, conducted extensive scientific experiments, and carried out four extravehicular activities.
"Our crew worked together with the ground team in unity and coordination, completing four extravehicular activities, several payload entry and exit tasks, and a large number of scientific experiments. It was a fulfilling yet challenging mission. The path to exploring the heavens is long and arduous, but I firmly believe that China's space missions will succeed," said Chen Zhongrui, a former air force pilot who was making his first spaceflight during the mission.
"From the ground to space, from learning to application, I have deeply felt the solid progress of Chinese space endeavors and the quiet dedication of countless personnel behind the scenes. In the future, I will accomplish each mission with full commitment, living up to the trust of the motherland and the people," said fellow astronaut Wang Jie, who was also making his debut spaceflight.
After returning to Earth on Nov 14, the trio successfully completed their isolation recovery and rehabilitation and will now resume normal training following health assessments.
The crew's return, originally scheduled for Nov 5, was postponed due to safety concerns, with the astronauts later using the return capsule belonging to their successor crew of the Shenzhou-21 mission to get back to Earth. China later launched the unmanned Shenzhou-22 spacecraft which will serve the future return of the crew now aboard the Tiangong Space Station.
Shenzhou-20 astronauts share experiences after safely returning from debris incident
