China to counter U.S. deployment of intermediate-range missiles in Asia

China threatened countermeasures on Tuesday if the United States deploys intermediate-range, ground-based missiles in Asia and warned U.S. allies of repercussions if they allow such weapons on their territory. Fu Cong, director general of the arms control department at China's foreign ministry, said Beijing "will not stand idly by" and watches the United States base missiles in Asia.

That warning came after U.S. Defence Secretary Mark Esper said on Saturday that he was in favour of placing ground-launched, intermediate-range missiles in the region soon, possibly within months. Washington formally pulled out last week from the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty, allowing the Pentagon to develop new weapons to counter China, which boasts an increasingly sophisticated land-based missile force.