N.Korea 'obviously' behind sinking

The newspaper quoted a South Korean official as saying, "Defense Minister Kim Tae-young briefed the results and circulated the first draft of the announcement, asking the advice of other participants."

Zhang Xinsen, China's ambassador to South Korea, didn't attend the meeting, but sent the minister of the embassy to hear the briefing, the Seoul-based Chosun Ilbo newspaper cited the Chinese embassy's website as saying Wednesday.

The paper said Beijing's cooperation is essential for Seoul if it wants sanctions against North Korea to be effective.

Ed Royce, a US Republican Representative, also said Wednesday that this issue is a "clarifying moment" for "all of those who have hoped to see the rise of a 'responsible' China."

Lü Chao, director at the Center of Korean Studies of Liaoning Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times that China's stance will be clear after today's announcement of investigation results.

"Beijing's response is likely to stress the safeguarding of peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, urging all parties to keep actions under restraint," he said.

Wang Weimin, a researcher of the Center for Korean Studies at Fudan University, said that South Korea and the US may stage joint naval maneuvers in the Yellow Sea if Pyongyang is proved to be the perpetrator.

Agencies contributed to this story