The Chinese President, Mr Jiang Zemin, has declared his support for North-South Korean reconciliation, promising support for more dialogue and improvement of relations between both sides.
His promise came during an official visit to North Korea yesterday, as political turmoil deepened in Seoul over the future of its "sunshine policy" of engagement with the North.
South Korea's cabinet ministers tendered their resignations yesterday in response to the vote, but the South Korean government said it would not alter its engagement with the North.
A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said in Beijing that China supported the idea of the reclusive North Korean leader, Mr Kim Jong-il, attending the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Shanghai in October.
"This question depends on whether North Korea wants to attend," the spokesman told a news conference.
The North-South peace process has been frozen for six months, but Mr Zemin said he will "support more dialogue and improvement of relations between the two sides so as to realise an independent and peaceful reunification."
The South Korean President, Mr Kim Dae-jung's, saw his "sunshine policy" of reconciliation dealt a serious blow on Monday when parliament passed a no-confidence motion against the minister in charge of North Korea policy.
Seoul hopes that President Jiang will use his clout to persuade Mr Kim Jong-il fulfils his promise to visit his estranged southern neighbour, and to attend a summit in South Korea. The first summit, attended by Mr Dae-jung, was held in Pyongyang last year.
Mr Jong-il has postponed the promised return visit, due to Washington's decision to put US-North Korean ties on hold.
--(Additional reporting AFP)