Greece: China deals may boost economy

Chinese and Greek companies signed shipbuilding and construction deals worth hundreds of million of euros yesterday and further deals might follow to help Greece overcome its debt crisis, officials said.

"The Chinese government will encourage Chinese businesses to come to Greece to seek investment opportunities," China's Vice Premier, Zhang Dejiang, said as the deals were signed. Greece is seeking foreign investment to spur its economy, shrinking in the wake of a draconian austerity programme that it has imposed to save it from bankruptcy.