China has solid reasons to be concerned about the US anti-ballistic missile system to be deployed in South Korea.

Despite South Korea's claims that the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system offers a kind of protection in the face of Pyongyang's nuclear provocation, the system's hardware and functions are far beyond the South's actual defense needs.

The THAAD deployment will intensify the regional nuclear issue and trigger an arms race, in addition, a large area of China will be exposed to US monitoring. With the upgrade of the system, THAAD can easily target China. Considering the Pentagon's military deployment and maneuvers in the South China Sea and China's periphery, the explanation of Washington and Seoul cannot convince China.

South Korea is falling into US plans to incorporate Seoul into its designed regional military structure, a part of its rebalance to the Asia-Pacific strategy, whose purpose is to contain China.

The THAAD deployment will have a long-term impact on regional security and prompt China's countermeasures to cope with the challenges it may bring. Therefore China should start planning strike deployments against THAAD as a countermeasure. Such a system should be ready once the US and South Korea finish deploying THAAD. The measures can include how to technically disrupt THAAD and preparing to take aim at this system, including destroying the system with cruise missiles, hypersonic glide vehicles or stealth fighters.

China can also take joint actions with Russia to minimize the negative effects brought about by the US and South Korea.

The moves should be made transparent to the world. Meanwhile, we should request more public and transparent monitoring mechanisms over the deployment of THAAD, and China must have the right to directly monitor it.

Washington and Seoul claim that the THAAD deployment does not target China. If this is the case, they should demonstrate how THAAD works without threatening China's security. Seoul cites public support to excuse the THAAD deployment, however, it must be reminded that due to strong public opposition, the Chinese government will take more proactive measures against THAAD.

It is advisable for South Korea to have a cool mind in assessing the consequences of deploying THAAD and the damage it will inflict on its ties with China. Seoul is playing with fire, and it will be the first to get burned.