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BEIJING – China on Tuesday rejected a US plan to deploy a new missile defense system in Japan’s territory, saying the move raised security concerns for the region and the entire Asia-Pacific.

China also said it would not make “bogus moves” to pressure the U.S. to abide by a UN Security Council resolution banning its use of missile defense systems in South-east Asia.

It called on Washington and its allies to engage in negotiations aimed at resolving “the outstanding issues” over the North’s nuclear and ballistic weapons programs.

“The China-US Strategic Partnership is important to protect peace and stability in the region, and I hope that the United States’ administration firmly upholds security and prosperity through dialogue and consultation,” China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told a regular press briefing in Beijing.

China has repeatedly criticised the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system or THAAD on the Korean peninsula, arguing that it would not give the security protection of the region it is built in to Japan, the scene of the worst East China Sea territorial dispute in recent times.

Japan will consider all legal and other options, including revoking its bilateral defense cooperation agreement with the U.S., Geng said.

However Geng said the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system was the work of Washington and South Korea and the United States should make a proper apology and compensation to Japan.

The U.S. has said it is complying with UN Security Council resolutions imposing a ban on its deployment of THAAD, which includes a radar system.

It says its goal was purely defensive, but analysts say the move could have far-reaching national security implications.

THAAD consists of two radar arrays placed at a range of 4,000 km in North America, one in South Korea with a similar radar and a second in Australia. It was installed early this year.

China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said such a move would harm East Asian security, adding that Japan could have other defenses systems.

“China expresses its firm opposition to the U.S. deployment of such a dangerous missile defense system on the Korean peninsula and strongly warns against any unilateral action that could exacerbate issues in East Asia,” Geng said.

According to the Ministry’s comments, China has urged Washington not to make any more provocative moves in