TOKYO, May 31 (UPI) -- China, South Korea and Japan have ended their summit with Beijing calling for peace amid escalating tension surrounding the sinking of a South Korean ship.
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, speaking to reporters on South Korea's Jeju Island after his weekend meeting with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, did not mention North Korea directly by name, Yonhap news agency reported Monday.
North Korea has been blamed by international investigators for the March 26 sinking of a South Korean war ship in which 46 sailors died. The North has denied any involvement, and China, its closest ally, has not taken a stand on the finding.
The three-nation summit came as tensions continue to rise on the Korean Peninsula over the ship incident.
"We must promote peace and stability in the Northeast Asian region through every effort," Wen said. "We should be considerate of each other on a grave issue, deal reasonably with a sensitive matter and strengthen political trust."
South Korea's Lee said he plans to bring the ship incident before the U.N. Security Council, but CNN reported Seoul would need China's support for any penalties against the North.
In Tokyo Monday, where Wen met with Hatoyama, the leaders agreed to set up a hot line to discuss vital issues and avert emergencies, Kyodo News reported, quoting an official.
Kyodo said Hatoyama expressed his government's concern about Chinese navy helicopters flying in close proximity to Japanese destroyers in waters off Japan.
