Premier offers help but says only eurozone can solve its debt crisis

BEIJING - China is ready to help Europe deal with its debt problems, Premier Wen Jiabao said on Tuesday.

But Europe must solve its own crisis and China expects the eurozone to send clear and positive signals to the world that it can tackle the situation, Wen said.

"China's willingness to support the EU in dealing with its debt problems is sincere and resolute," Wen said at a joint news conference held in Beijing with European Council President Herman Van Rompuy and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso.

"China has been willing, and will continue to be willing, to join hands with the EU for mutual benefit, despite the fast-changing global economic situation," Wen said.

He said at a meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel last week that China would consider getting more involved in solving Europe's debt woes, especially through the European Stability Mechanism and the European Financial Stability Facility.

However, Wen pointed out Europe cannot depend too heavily on China and its own efforts are crucial.

"The debt crisis relies fundamentally on the efforts made by the EU itself. We especially expect the debt-stricken nations, according to their own situations, to strengthen fiscal consolidation, reduce their deficits and lower their debt risks," Wen said.

Van Rompuy said during the news conference that he welcomed China's interest in the eurozone.

"In the past, China has shown, in a concrete way, its interest in the eurozone by investing in sovereign bonds of individual countries and by investing in European stability instruments," Van Rompuy said.

But "it's up to China to make its own decisions in contributing to the stability of the eurozone", he said.