China stresses need to resolve debt crisis

China may engage more deeply in resolving the European debt crisis, Premier Wen Jiabao said at a media briefing with visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Wen said it was "very urgent and important" to resolve the debt crisis and his country is considering "involving itself more deeply into" the efforts to address the issue through channels like the European Financial Stability Facility and the European Stability Mechanism. Merkel arrived in Beijing Thursday for a three-day visit. Wen said China attaches great importance to the European debt crisis from a strategic perspective as the European Union is its largest trading partner, China's official Xinhua news agency reported. Wen said the EU's financial stability, economic growth and integration not only affect the continent but also that of China and the world. "The Chinese side supports efforts to maintain the stability of the euro and the eurozone," Wen said. The Voice of America said Merkel had sought China's help in persuading Iran to abandon any plans it may have for nuclear weapons. The VOA said Merkel had told reporters she understands China does not support calls for new sanctions against Iran, but she urged China to "use its influence" to emphasize to Iran that the world should not have another nuclear power. The European Union imposed an oil embargo on Iran last week. Wen reaffirmed China's opposition to sanctions on Iran, saying dialogue and cooperation are needed to resolve the nuclear issue, Xinhua reported. "China firmly safeguards the international non-proliferation regime and opposes Iran and any of the Mideast countries developing nuclear weapons," he said, adding use of force will cause turbulence and turmoil in the Middle East and the world, Xinhua reported.