Premier Wen pledges support for Europe

ATHENS, Greece, Oct. 4 (UPI) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said China would continue supporting Europe through financial markets and increase trade with Greece.

Speaking in Athens on Sunday, Wen said China has "stayed at Europe's side to overcome the crisis and allow the recovery."

China has no plans to reduce its portfolio of European bonds, he said. In addition, he said China would be in the market for Greek bonds when the government returns to the market, EUobserver reported Monday.

Wen, on a week-long tour of Europe, also said China would double its trade with Greece in the next five years.

After his visit to Greece, Wen was headed to Brussels for meetings with other leaders in a European-Asian summit.

In Greece, Wen called for Europe to relax restrictions on high-tech exports to China, EUobserver said.