The chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs says China should play an active role in resolving the issues regarding the sinking of the Cheonan.

Senator Jim Webb said at a forum in Seoul on Tuesday morning that China should not sit watching the aftermath of the sinking of the Cheonan and instead proactively make efforts to resolve the situation.

He added that if the United Nations Security Council convenes to address the Cheonan case, the entire world will be watching to see how China will act as a member of the international community.

In particular, Webb pointed out that how China handles the Cheonan incident will be a test for whether China can handle responsibility that is commensurate with its economic heft.

Webb also said that the rights and wrongs in the sinking of the Cheonan are clearly defined and that there are no differences in opinion between Seoul and Washington on the issue.