Wen spreads China's billions in Europe but can't buy goodwill
On tour through Europe, which ended today in Germany, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao inked deals worth billions, but also faced questions on human rights abuses.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao attend a news conference after a meeting at the chancellery in Berlin, on Tuesday, June 28. The Chinese Prime Minister stays for a two day official visit in Germany.
Markus Schreiber/AP
Paris
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao today said China may give Europe “a helping hand” with its current debt crisis – but warned in uncharacteristic tones for a second successive day against European officials and media that “meddle” in China’s affairs.
Mr. Wen, seen as one of China’s more liberal and sympathetic senior officials, ended a goodwill jaunt through Europe that is partly intended to put a better face on China, experts say, and meant to keep Sino-European business flowing during a US election season that could result in significant China-bashing.
His trip included a stop in Hungary, head of Europe’s rotating presidency, where he offered $1.4 billion in loans. A visit to England showcased Wen’s interest in Shakespeare, and brought $2.3 billion in trade deals. In Germany, a nation that designs many of the machine tools China has used to become the “factory of the world,” trade deals totaled more than $14 billion.
