The deployment of a global missile defense system is a threat to nuclear disarmament, Chinese military officials and researchers have said, following the release of China's latest white paper on its defense policy.

The country has expressed great concern over the threat of such a missile defense system to international and regional security, according to the latest paper, which is considered to be the first time the Chinese government has responded to the United States-initiated missile system.

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The US deployment of the missile defense system offers no benefit to the global nuclear disarmament movement that the country has also promoted, said Teng Jianqun, deputy general-secretary of the China Arms Control and Disarmament Association (CACDA).

"China opposes the global missile defense system, which is not good for regional stability," China's Defense Ministry spokesman Hu Changming told China Daily yesterday.

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Source (Chinese): Anti-nuke efforts face barrier. China Daily, 21.01.2009