China is ready to help resolve Europe’s debt crisis, its premier said yesterday, but he gave no details a day after the nation’s sovereign wealth fund ducked calls by German Chancellor Angela Merkel for it to buy euro government bonds.

Italy wants China to buy its government bonds or invest in its companies in an attempt to aid its economy.

EU trade commissioner Peter Mandelson and China’s commerce minister called today for closer trade ties but announced no breakthroughs in talks on import controls and other disputes.