China has again said it plans to retaliate against the deployment of the United States' THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Aerial Defense system) in the Republic of Korea by 2017.

China reiterated it would "resolutely" take necessary actions -- but without specifying what actions -- to protect its security interests in response to the U.S. deployment of THAAD in South Korea at the request of the South Korean government.

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Beijing latest blast against THAAD came only a few days after acting South Korean President  and Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn said THAAD has to be deployed to South Korea as soon as possible to counter North Korea's persistent nuclear and missile threats.

"For security, (we) have to deploy (THAAD)," said Hwang. "As we cannot wait even for a moment to cope with North Korea's nuclear provocations, we have to do what we can do first."

South Korea will install a THAAD battery in the southern county of Seongju, 296 kilometers southeast of Seoul, in May 2017. A second THAAD battery is also to be deployed.

"China has repeatedly expressed its serious concerns and clear opposition," said Hua Chunying, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman.

"The THAAD deployment by the US in the ROK severely undermines the regional strategic balance and the strategic and security interests of relevant regional countries including China.

"It will not help preserve the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula. We hope that relevant countries can take our legitimate concerns seriously and halt the deployment."

The incoming administration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump made one of its first comments about THAAD recently when Michael Flynn, Trump's designated national security adviser, said the decision to deploy THAAD was an "appropriate move."

"The Seoul-Washington alliance remains strong and firm," said Flynn.

This was the first time a senior adviser to Trump clearly supported the THAAD deployment. Flynn's remarks suggests Trump will continue with the deployment of THAAD, a decision made under President Barack Obama.

Flynn also called for closer collaboration with South Korea to deal with nuclear and missile threats from North Korea, which THAAD is to deter.

TagsTHAAD, Terminal High Altitude Aerial Defense, Republic of Korea, Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn, china, retaliation, South Korea