North Korea reportedly told China during their summit talks in Beijing that Pyongyang had nothing to do with the sinking of South Korea’s “Cheonan” warship.

Japan’s Asahi Shimbun daily cited South Korean officials as adding, however, that it is unclear whether North Korean leader Kim Jong-il made the remark himself.

During the talks, Beijing also reportedly conveyed to Pyongyang its concerns about tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

China's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said Friday that China's top priority is peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia. She said the two Koreas should be prudent in words and actions before the cause of the sinking is determined.