Portugal expects more Chinese help with debt

[December 14, 2010]  LISBON, Portugal (AP) -- Portugal's finance minister says China has given him assurances it will continue to support Portuguese efforts to climb out of a financial crisis.

Fernando Teixeira dos Santos told national news agency Lusa in Beijing on Tuesday that the Chinese government intends to step up financing, investment and trade with Portugal.

His two-day visit to China was his second in three months and came a week after he went to Brazil as part of an effort to broaden the market for Portuguese government bonds.

Portugal's high debt and recent low growth have fueled market speculation it will be the next eurozone country needing an international bailout.

[Associated Press]

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