China considers greater role in European debt crisis

China is considering deeper involvement in the efforts to address Europe's debt crisis, possibly through channels like the European Financial Stability Facility and the European Stability Mechanism.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao made the remarks at a joint media briefing on Thursday in Beijing after talks with visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

The Chinese premier said it was "very urgent and important" to solve the European debt crisis, and that China attaches great importance to the issue from a strategic perspective as the global economic situation remains grim.

According to Wen, since the European Union is the world’s largest economy and China’s largest trading partner, the bloc’s financial stability, economic growth and integration not only affect Europe’s fate and future, but also that of China and the world.

Wen said Europe's own efforts were vital to resolving the crisis, along with those of other members of the international community.

He called on the EU to keep pushing ahead with financial reforms and to put forward a consistent and clear-cut solution.

On bilateral relations, Wen said the two countries should strengthen communication and coordination on major regional issues to jointly maintain world peace and stability. He also expressed his hope that they would cooperate more efficiently on global challenges such as climate change, non-traditional security threats, energy and food security issues.

Merkel said Germany welcomes Chinese companies to increase investment in Germany and will open its market wider to China. On behalf of Europe, she thanked China for its support and said Germany is willing to enhance communication and coordination with China.