When Will China Come Off the Fence?

Investigators probing the sinking of the Navy corvette Cheonan has apparently discovered a smoking gun pieces of a propeller of a torpedo, which is believed to have sunk the ship - which means North Korea. They compared the collected pieces of a North Korean torpedo test was taken in the West Sea seven years ago, and also analyzed traces of gunpowder found in the wreckage of Cheonan, an official said. The government is to present the findings Thursday.

The next task is to get support from the international community to come up with effective sanctions against North Korea. President Barack Obama spoke on the phone with President Lee Myung-bak on Tuesday and said the U.S. funds and supports South Korea's response and investigations. Obama promised to send Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to Seoul for nearly consultations on a response. The cooperation with Washington will be a crucial factor in effective implementation of further UN sanctions, support joint military exercises, searching North Korean ships on the high seas and freezing northern overseas accounts.

The biggest variable is China, North Korea's trusted guardian. For sanctions against North Korea must be effective, Beijing's cooperation is important, but instead continue to support North Korea. Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie met with South Korean veterans in Beijing and told them that the South should not do it "wrong judgments." Chinese Ambassador to Seoul Zhang Xinsen visited the headquarters of the main opposition party Democratic Party on Monday and said: "We have been told by DPRK authorities for their denial of involvement. There should be neither subjective speculation or premature conclusions in the investigation." He flew in the face of diplomatic protocol for Zhang to visit DP, as for the election are reluctant to pursue sanctions against North Korea, rather than the ruling party.

China only in 2008 raised South Korea's status to "strategic partner" but there is little to show for it. Instead, Beijing keeps repeating that a "scientific and objective examination" necessary.How would Beijing react if one of their own naval vessels had been attacked and a country that is believed to be a "strategic partner" just kept trotting a non-binding mantra?

When China continues to toe the line in Cheonan fall, the U.S. and South Korean authorities must find ways to strengthen the fleet defense capabilities and exercises outside Beijing participate. If that happens, then the tension will inevitably rise in the western part of the ocean and can even lead to armed clashes. China should carefully consider whether it is to achieve something to recreate a cold war rivalries in the West Sea.