The Chinese Foreign Ministry has urged related countries to respond calmly on the Cheonan naval disaster in order to prevent tension on the Korean Peninsula.

Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu on Friday said that China is paying close attention to South Korea's probe results on the Cheonan case, calling the sinking of the ship an unfortunate incident.

The spokesman added that the Chinese government has expressed its condolences several times and sympathizes with South Koreans' sadness over the casualties.

Meanwhile, China's Global Times reported that China's nonengagement policy will face criticism due to the Cheonan case and that the situation has put Beijing into a difficult position.