China calls for calm, proper handle of Cheonan incident
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China on Saturday called on related parties to keep calm, exercise restraint and appropriately handle Cheonan incident.
Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi made the remarks while meeting with his South Korean counterpart Yu Myung-hwan ahead of a trilateral foreign ministers' meeting of China, Japan and South Korea, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu said.
Yang said the sinking of the South Korean navy ship "Cheonan" is an unfortunate incident. Considering the current complicated and sensitive situation on the Korean Peninsula, China hopes all parties concerned should start from the stability and peace of the Korean Peninsula and the region, proceed from long-term interest, keep calm and exercise restraint to appropriately handle the Cheonan incident.
As for what the Japanese side said during the two-way meeting between Yang and his Japanese counterpart Katsuya Okada that Chinese marine surveillance ships' enforcement activities on Japan 's scientific research ships east of "medium line" has damaged Japan's sovereignty and interests, Yang stressed that China remains clear and consistent position on the East China Sea issues.
He said China has never recognized the so-called "medium line" proposed unilaterally by Japan, noting that the Japanese side has no right to adopt unilateral actions in the disputed sea, according to the spokesman.
The spokesman said the two sides agreed to calmly deal with related issues to avoid worsening the situation and affecting the bilateral ties.
Regarding to what the Japanese side mentioned during the meeting that its surveillance actions on the Chinese Navy's recent training in East China sea are in line with the International Law, describing the Chinese side's actions as "dangerous", Yang reaffirmed that the Chinese Navy are conducting normal training, which poses no threat to any country.
Yang hoped that the two countries' defense authorities could enhance mutual trust by further strengthening exchanges and communications, so as to prevent misunderstanding and misjudgment, according to the spokesman.
