The Greek debt crisis has come to a critical stage and whatever happens will have an impact on Sino-European ties, Premier Li Keqiang told European Parliament President Martin Schulz yesterday.
Li, speaking during his visit to Belgium to attend a Sino-EU summit, pledged that China would continue to hold euro debt and hoped the Greek crisis would be properly resolved.
"China and Europe share a common destiny and are each other's most important trading partner," state-run CCTV quoted Li as saying. "The Greek debt problem has entered a critical stage. This is not only an issue for Europe, but is also closely related to the world and the Sino-European relationship."
In an earlier interview with German newspaper and other European publications, Li said Europe had China's support in dealing with the crisis.
Deputy commerce minister Wang Shouwen said Beijing would send a positive signal that China and the EU could push growth through reform and innovation.
But government-backed researchers said the premier's remarks were more "diplomatic and symbolic" than "substantive".
"The leaders would of course talk about the Greek debt crisis," said Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences researcher Li Lifan . "But China will be extremely cautious about any substantial effort to help bail out Greece."