Premier Wen Jiabao yesterday spelled out China's demands for helping the US and Europe overcome their financial and economic difficulties in remarks seen as a shift in China's attitude towards the developed economies.
Speaking to 1,500 delegates at the opening of the annual World Economic Forum event in Dalian, Wen delivered a message that was both polite and clear.
While the US and Europe could count on China's continued financial support, China also had 'hopes' from them, he said.
'Countries must first put their own houses in order,' Wen said. 'Developed countries must take responsible fiscal and monetary policies. What is most important now is to prevent the further spread of the sovereign debt crisis in Europe.'
Wen's biggest hope for Europe, which is struggling with a growing debt crisis, was recognition of China at the World Trade Organisation as a full market economy.
This has been a long-standing demand of Beijing since China was admitted to the WTO in 2001, with the body setting 2016 as a deadline for members to recognise China as a market economy. Recognition would help Chinese exporters avoid trade disputes, such as accusations of dumping, but the European Union countries and the United States have yet to extend this.