Wen Jiabao in Seoul denounces destabilizing acts

Wen Jiabao also said that China would not protect whoever was to blame for sinking a South Korean warship.

Until Friday, China had refused to make any clear comment on the mounting tension in the Korean peninsula. It had called for restraint on all sides but refused to condemn North Korea, which Seoul accuses of having fired a torpedo to sink a South Korean corvette, the Cheonan, in March.

Although China is not expected to give full support to South Korea, Wen Jiabao's statement in Seoul could mark the beginning of a turn.

"The Chinese government will review the results of international probes closely and consider reactions from countries concerned seriously," Wen was quoted as saying. "It will then take its position on this issue in an objective and fair manner. According to the investigation results, China will not protect anyone."

Seoul wants UN Security Council action

South Korea wants to bring the matter before the United Nations Security Council and is seeking veto-wielding member China's support on the taking of harsh punitive action.

The findings of an international investigation that last week concluded that Pyongyang had been responsible for the attack have been rejected by North Korea, which has threatened to scrap military agreements with the South that guarantee the safety of cross-border exchanges.

China is North Korea's only major ally

China is North Korea's only major ally and the countries' two leaders met earlier this month in a show of friendship in Beijing. However, "it is difficult even for China to influence North Korea's behavior," Zhang Laingui, an expert on North Korea at the Central Party School in Beijing, told Reuters.

"China feels it's on the backfoot and has to find a more active posture on the Cheonan incident," he added.

Although analysts agree that the escalation of tension on the Korean peninsula is dispiriting, few think the latest spat between the two rival nations will lead to outright war, as neither side seems really keen to take matters so far.

Wen Jiabao's visit to South Korea is officially aimed at discussing ways of developing a "strategic cooperative partnership" between China and South Korea and a proposed free trade agreement.

act/AP/Reuters/AFP
Editor: Disha Uppal