Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said?in Seoul?on Friday that China will make a judgement in an "objective and fair manner" and take its stance on the basis of facts concerning the sinking of a South Korean warship.

Wen, who arrived here earlier in the day on a three-day official visit, made the comments during a meeting with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak.

He said that China has always stood for maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and worked persistently for this end.

China always opposes and condemns any acts detrimental to peace and stability on the peninsula, he said.

Wen said that as a responsible country, China takes serious note of the results of a joint investigation by South Korea and other countries, as well as the reactions of all parties.

Premier Wen urges all parties to keep calm and show restraint, so as to prevent a deterioration of the situation, especially possible clashes in a joint effort to maintain the hard-won peace and stability on the Peninsula.

Wen said that all concerned parties should take a long-term perspective, actively promote the process of the six-party talks in a bid to resolve the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula and achieve lasting peace and stability on the Peninsula.

He said that China hopes the South Korean government will properly handle the warship sinking incident and that China will keep close communication with South Korea on the issue.

On March 26, the South Korean naval vessel, Cheonan, with 104 crew members onboard, sank into the waters off the west coast of the Korean Peninsula, killing 46 sailors.

On May 20, the South Korean government released the results of a multinational investigation, which concluded that Cheonan was torpedoed by a submarine of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

The DPRK vehemently rejected the accusation and warned that any retaliation would lead to an "all-out" war.