BEIJING, June 10 (UPI) -- French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde, seeking support to win the top job at the International Monetary Fund, said she was satisfied with her China trip.
Lagarde is a leading candidate to replace Dominique Strauss-Kahn, who faces sexual assault charges in New York, which he has denied.
Although China has not publicly declared its intention, Lagarde needs its support, as the country has become a major force in dealing with global economic and monetary issues. She told reporters in Beijing that if chosen for the top job, her immediate priority would be the euro debt crisis, China Daily reported.
She expressed support for increasing China's voting rights at the IMF to about 6.4 percent from 4 percent currently, the report said. On her meeting with top Chinese leaders, Lagarde said it was agreed "the selection process for the managing director of the IMF should be open, transparent, and merit-based, irrespective of his or her nationality."
She said reforms must continue for the IMF's governance and appropriate representation of its members.
A final decision on who will head the IMF is expected by the end of the month.
"Getting support from China will not change the result, although it is very important for Lagarde," economist Dong Yuping at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences told China Daily.
Professor Dong Xiaojun at the Chinese Academy of Governance said support from emerging economies -- Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa -- "cannot be ignored."
