This just goes to show that China has no intention of participating in any serious consequences for North Korea for its alleged sinking of the Cheonan:

South Korea continued to voice displeasure at Beijing over the timing of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il’s trip to Dalian Monday – just three days after President Lee Myung-bak and Chinese President Hu Jintao met in Shanghai – and implored the country to play “a responsible role” during tense times.

South Korean Unification Minister Hyun In-taek yesterday met with Zhang Xinsen, Chinese ambassador to Seoul, in what had been scheduled as a meet-and-greet session for the newly arrived envoy.

But Hyun instead mentioned “dynamic developments” in the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia, citing the deadly sinking of the South Korean warship Cheonan and the North Korean decision to seize South Korean properties at the Mount Kumgang resort.

“At times like this, China needs to take a responsible role,” Hyun said.

Meanwhile, China’s Foreign Ministry refused to confirm Kim’s visit at a regular briefing for the press Tuesday.

“On this issue in which you are very interested, at present I don’t have any information,” said spokeswoman Jiang Yu after being asked about press coverage of Kim’s arrival in Dalian.

Kim is visiting China as South Korea seeks China’s support in case North Korea is found responsible for the Cheonan sinking and South Korea raises the matter at the United Nations Security Council.

China is one of five veto-wielding members on the Security Council, whose unanimity is required for any binding resolution.

On Monday, Vice Foreign Minister Shin Kak-soo summoned Zhang to relay Seoul’s disappointment regarding Kim’s visit.

According to a Foreign Ministry official yesterday, Shin expressed South Korea’s disappointment that China didn’t inform Seoul of Kim’s visit.

Three days before Kim’s arrival in China, President Lee held a summit with Chinese President Hu in Shanghai at the opening ceremony of the Shanghai World Expo.

The official added, without elaborating, that Shin relayed the South Korean government’s objection to China’s receiving Kim while an investigation to determine the cause of the Cheonan warship sinking is ongoing.  [Joong Ang Ilbo]