The Chinese Premier, Wen Jiabao, is visiting South Korea amid continuing tension over the sinking - allegedly by North Korea - of a South Korean warship in March.
The issue is expected to dominate Mr Wen's talks on Friday with the South Korean President, Lee Myung-bak.
International investigators have blamed North Korea for sinking the warship.
But China has so far refused to join in the widespread condemnation of its old ally, Pyongyang.
The Chinese state news agency Xinhua quoted the Chinese ambassador to South Korea, Zhang Xinsen, as saying the visit would "strongly boost" ties between the two countries.
The BBC's correspondent in Seoul, John Sudworth, says however, that China is in an uncomfortable position.
Frustration
He says China's refusal, so far, to join the strong, international condemnation of North Korea is causing frustration in Seoul.
There are calls for China to come off the fence and choose between its old, cold war alliance with Pyongyang and its new role as a modern, global power.
Some news reports suggest that Mr Wen will, albeit subtly and carefully, move closer to the South Korean position on this visit, choosing a form of words that at least placates some of the anger.
But, our correspondent adds, China's priority is stability on its borders and it will be reluctant to sign up to anything it thinks will provoke its North Korean neighbour.
Since being accused of the torpedo strike on the South Korean ship, North Korea has said it will scrap an agreement aimed at preventing accidental naval clashes with South Korea.
It also warned of an immediate attack if the South's navy violated the disputed Yellow Sea borderline.
On Tuesday, North Korea announced it would sever all ties with the South.
The Yellow Sea was the site of deadly naval skirmishes in 1999 and 2002.
The two states are technically still at war after the Korean conflict ended without a peace treaty in 1953.
The Chinese Premier, Wen Jiabao, is visiting South Korea amid continuing tension over the sinking - allegedly by North Korea - of a South Korean warship in March.
The issue is expected to dominate Mr Wen's talks on Friday with the South Korean President, Lee Myung-bak.
International investigators have blamed North Korea for sinking the warship.
But China has so far refused to join in the widespread condemnation of its old ally, Pyongyang.
The Chinese state news agency Xinhua quoted the Chinese ambassador to South Korea, Zhang Xinsen, as saying the visit would "strongly boost" ties between the two countries.
The BBC's correspondent in Seoul, John Sudworth, says however, that China is in an uncomfortable position.
Frustration
He says China's refusal, so far, to join the strong, international condemnation of North Korea is causing frustration in Seoul.
There are calls for China to come off the fence and choose between its old, cold war alliance with Pyongyang and its new role as a modern, global power.
Some news reports suggest that Mr Wen will, albeit subtly and carefully, move closer to the South Korean position on this visit, choosing a form of words that at least placates some of the anger.
But, our correspondent adds, China's priority is stability on its borders and it will be reluctant to sign up to anything it thinks will provoke its North Korean neighbour.
Since being accused of the torpedo strike on the South Korean ship, North Korea has said it will scrap an agreement aimed at preventing accidental naval clashes with South Korea.
It also warned of an immediate attack if the South's navy violated the disputed Yellow Sea borderline.
On Tuesday, North Korea announced it would sever all ties with the South.
The Yellow Sea was the site of deadly naval skirmishes in 1999 and 2002.
The two states are technically still at war after the Korean conflict ended without a peace treaty in 1953.
What will China be talking with South Korea ?? Well, Beijing doesn't want to pull the plug on North Korea, But, it also offers sympathy and support to the South, a major trading partner, Relations between the Koreas have worsened sine a team of the international investigators concluded that Torpedo from a North Korean submarine tore apart a South Korean warship on March 26, Killing 46 sailors. and the North flatly denies involvement in the sinking of the Cheonan. and as of presentday, North and the South have technically remained at war sine the 1950-53 Korean war ended with an armistice rather than a peace treaty..
i think china will send their iron men to kill American!
With all due respect Brother Anonymous, i think, your Chinese iron mans not ready for Superpower like America.. of course, i acknowledged Mao's troops crashed Kuemingtang of Chiang Kaichek before they taken over China. But to kill American as you said" Ha, Ha, Ha.. your dream!!
i think china will send their iron men to kill American!
With all due respect Brother Anonymous, i think, your Chinese iron mans not ready for Superpower like America.. of course, i acknowledged Mao's troops crashed Kuemingtang of Chiang Kaichek before they taken over China. But to kill American as you said" Ha, Ha, Ha.. your dream!!
i agree with you respectful speak out,Mao was afraid of American troop, thats chinese troop wouldn't attact and take over the Taiwan island...
i think china will send their iron men to kill American!
With all due respect Brother Anonymous, i think, your Chinese iron mans not ready for Superpower like America.. of course, i acknowledged Mao's troops crashed Kuemingtang of Chiang Kaichek before they taken over China. But to kill American as you said" Ha, Ha, Ha.. your dream!!
Haha the Chinese Iron men. Of course , all the American kids like Iron men toys which were made in China
Today it is the 21 century and China economy is very good and The Chinese people want to enjoy their money and have a wonderful life and also their best Chinese costomers is the American. So why the China need to have war which will bring China to starve like in 1950 again. Soon and later China will be like Soviet Union and abandon the communism.
Today it is the 21 century and China economy is very good and The Chinese people want to enjoy their money and have a wonderful life and also their best Chinese costomers is the American. So why the China need to have war which will bring China to starve like in 1950 again. Soon and later China will be like Soviet Union and abandon the communism.
Black angel, who says that, china is communist...?? give me some evidents?
do we really allow nations to sink ships without sanctions? this will give them the idea that it is alright to commit dastardly acts and no one would bother punishing them. in a civilized world, "crime and punishment" should go together. there are consequences to your acts.
SEOGWIPO, South Korea — China's Premier Wen Jiabao said Sunday there is an "urgent" need to avoid clashes and ease tensions following the sinking of a South Korean warship.
But Wen, speaking after a summit with the Japanese and South Korean leaders, gave no indication that China is ready to join them in blaming North Korea for the incident.
"The urgent task now is to defuse the impact of the Cheonan incident, change the tense situation and avoid clashes," he told a press conference.
"China will actively communicate with relevant parties and lead the situation to help promote peace and stability in the region, which fits our common and long-term interests best."
South Korea announced reprisals against the North after international investigators reported on May 20 that a North Korean submarine fired a torpedo to sink the Cheonan with the loss of 46 lives.
The North denies involvement and has responded to the reprisals with threats of war.
South Korea, the United States and Japan are seeking China's support to sanction -- or, at least, to censure -- North Korea at the United Nations Security Council.
Wen expressed condolences to the families of the victims and said China would work to promote regional peace and stability, but made no other comments about the sinking.
South Korea's President Lee Myung-Bak, at a joint press conference with Wen and Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, said he expects "wise cooperation" by the neighbouring countries in handling the disaster.
Hatoyama, whose country Friday announced new sanctions on the North over the incident, said the three leaders agreed "that this is a serious issue related to peace and stability in Northeast Asia".
which side will Lao PDR follow between china, south korea and North Korea???