Wen says China has stake in helping EU

China has a stake in helping euro zone countries get through their debt crisis, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said in comments published on Sunday, suggesting that Beijing may increase its participation in European rescue funds, Reuters reported. “Now Europe is facing a debt crisis and we must consider relations with Europe strategically to protect our national interests,” Wen said during a visit to Guangdong province on Saturday. Europe is both China’s largest export market and biggest source for importing technology, Wen stressed. At a joint briefing with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday, Wen said China was considering increasing its participation in the resolution of the debt crisis through the EFSF, the temporary fund that has been used to bail out Ireland and Portugal and will help in a second Greek package, and the ESM, a US$650-billion permanent bailout fund that will replace the EFSF in July.