Chinese ambassador`s position unchanged on N. Korean attack

SEOUL, Nov. 25 (Yonhap) -- China's ambassador had an unannounced meeting with a
top South Korean diplomat to discuss North Korea's deadly artillery attack, but
reiterated Beijing's existing position that both sides should exercise calm and
restraint, a diplomatic source said Thursday.
Chinese Ambassador Zhang Xinsen met with South Korean First Vice Foreign Minister
Shin Kak-soo Wednesday afternoon at the Chinese envoy's request, the source said
on condition of anonymity.
The meeting came a day after South Korean Foreign Minister Kim Sung-hwan called
in the ambassador to ask for cooperation in coping with the North's shelling
Tuesday of Yeonpyeong Island that killed two marines and two civilians and
wounded 18 others.
In Wednesday's talks, Shin asked that China play a responsible role over the
case, while the Chinese envoy said that the two Koreas should exercise calm and
restraint, according to the source.
"There is no big difference in the existing Chinese position," the source said.
China is considered to have the largest leverage over North Korea as the
impoverished nation's biggest provider of food and energy aid and diplomatic
support. But Beijing has been reluctant to use the influence over concern about
instability in the North that could hurt its own economic growth.
North Korea's artillery attack is also expected to be a key topic when Chinese
Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi visits Seoul for talks with Foreign Minister Kim on
Friday.
jschang@yna.co.kr
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