国内英语新闻:China mulls more efforts to help address Europe's debt issue

Reaffirming China's opposition to sanctions on Iran, Wen said that China believes dialogue and cooperation are the only correct and effective solution to resolve the Iran nuclear issue, and that sanctions will not fundamentally address the problem.

"China firmly safeguards the international non-proliferation regime and opposes Iran and any of the Mideast countries developing nuclear weapons," said the premier.

The Iran nuclear issue is complicated and sensitive, and involves the peace, security and stability of the region and the world, said Wen, noting the use of force will cause turbulence and turmoil in the Middle East and the world, and that would be detrimental to all parties.

China has been relentlessly promoting dialogue and negotiation between Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany, and urged Iran to enhance cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), he said.

As Iran has recently expressed willingness to resume dialogues with the group of six international mediators, the top priority for all parties is to seize the opportunity and seek a comprehensive, long-term and appropriate solution for the issue through dialogue and negotiation, he added.

Wen said the overall objective for China and Germany on the Iran nuclear issue was consistent, and the two countries should enhance communication and coordination to jointly play a constructive role in resolving the problem.

China has maintained normal economic and trade ties with Iran in view of its need for economic development, and will not do things that go against international laws and relevant UN Security Council resolutions,said Wen.

The Chinese premier said China opposes the politicizing of normal trade relationship, and normal trade relations between countries should be protected. In addition, China will not trade its principles for profits.

BILATERAL RELATIONS

Wen and Merkel agreed that bilateral relations have achieved tremendous progress since the two countries established diplomatic ties 40 years ago.

Both sides agreed to maintain high-level contacts and arrange a series of large-scale economic and cultural exchange activities for 2012.

Wen said under the current complicated international and regional situation, China and Germany need to strengthen strategic cooperation from a long-term perspective.

The two countries should strengthen communication and coordination on major regional issues to jointly maintain world peace and stability, and cooperate more efficiently on global challenges such as climate change, non-traditional security threats, energy and food security issues, he said.

Merkel said Germany is willing to strengthen communication and dialogue with China to enhance mutual understanding, carry out cooperation at higher levels and in broader fields, and play a positive role in promoting Europe-China relations.

Germany welcomes Chinese companies to increase investment in Germany and will open its market wider to China, Merkel said. Europe thanks China for its support and Germany is willing to enhance communication and coordination with China.

Merkel also delivered a speech at Beijing-based thinktank Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and visited Nanluoguxiang, an old Beijing style alleyway with a history of over 800 years in the city's downtown.