Beijing says it is closely watching South Korea’s investigation into the sinking of the Cheonan naval vessel.

In the first comment on the Cheonan's sinking by the Chinese Foreign Ministry, spokesman Zhang Yu told reporters Tuesday that China is particularly eyeing how Korea will conduct its investigation.

Zhang said Beijing believes that Seoul will handle the incident appropriately. His comment was a response to a foreign reporter's question on how China viewed inter-Korean tension arising from the explosion.

Zhang added that China has expressed its sympathy and condolences to the Korean government and the bereaved families.