FM denies Greek aid knowledge

Comments come ahead of emergency eurozone meeting

China's foreign ministry denied all knowledge of offers of economic support made to Greece by China and Russia on Wednesday ahead of an emergency meeting of eurozone finance ministers.

"There have been proposals, offers I would say, from Russia, recently after the election, for economic support as well as from China, regarding help, investment possibilities," Greece's Deputy Foreign Minister Nikos Chountis told Greek radio on Tuesday, adding that "we have not asked for it."

Greek Defense Minister Panos Kammenos also said on Tuesday that if Athens failed to get a new debt agreement with the eurozone, it could always look elsewhere for help like the US and "it could be Russia … It could be China."

Hua Chunying, a spokeswoman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said, "I am not aware of the specifics. China-Greece relations have been developing steadily since the establishment of diplomatic ties … The Chinese side views Greece as a good friend and partner in the EU. We are sincere and determined to develop mutually beneficial cooperation with Greece," Hua said.

"Attaching great importance to China-Greece relations, the Chinese side is ready to work hand in hand with Greece's new government to deepen bilateral exchanges and cooperation in various fields following the principle of mutual respect and mutual benefit, and constantly advance the China-Greece comprehensive strategic partnership," Hua said at a regular press conference in Beijing.

Wu Yikang, research fellow at the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, said that Greece's "plan B" is an attempt to help the country put pressure on EU members and that the comments made by Greek officials did not mean the country had already sought aid from China and Russia.

He added that a country will go through certain procedures before aiding another country and that it is not a simple process.

Russia will consider its economic situation and US has to take legal issues into consideration, Wu said.

China helped Greece in 2008 through expanding infrastructure investment and Greece also plays an important role in the Silk Road project that Chinese President Xi Jinping has been advocating.

But even if China is to offer aid, Beijing will negotiate with other European countries to ensure the overall stability of China-EU relations.

Greece's deputy foreign minister said that while Athens was not excluding alternative sources of aid, its first priority was to "exhaust all options" in reaching a deal with its European partners.

Greece is seeking a new debt agreement with the eurozone that will allow it to shake off many of the austerity measures that have been imposed on it by an EU/International Monetary Fund bailout since 2010.

Wu said that Greece is unlikely to withdraw from the EU.