A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said here Friday the ministry pays high attention to the case of Liu Qiang in the Republic of Korea (ROK) and hopes the ROK side can impartially and properly handle it.

"The Chinese Foreign Ministry has paid great attention to the case," said spokesman Hong Lei at a daily press briefing when commenting on the first hearing recently held in the Seoul High Court.

The court is to determine whether Liu should be extradited to Japan for possible legal proceedings there for setting fire to the Yasukuni Shrine in December.

The Chinese Embassy in Seoul sent consular officials to attend the court session and offered necessary assistance within the limits of its responsibilities, such as recommending lawyers, Hong said.

Hong added that China's stance on the case is clear and consistent.

According to media reports, Liu is under detention in the ROK after serving a 10-month term in a Seoul prison for throwing Molotov cocktails at the Japanese Embassy in Seoul in January. Liu said "anti-humanitarian acts by the militaristic Japan" motivated him to set fire to the Yasukuni Shrine.