ATHENS, Oct 2 (Reuters) - China assured Greece it will buy Greek government bonds when the debt-laden country returns to markets, a senior Greek governemnt official told Reuters during a visit by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao to Athens on Saturday.
"In due time, when Greece returns to markets, the Chinese have given us assurances there will be support," the official told Reuters. Asked if this meant that China would buy bonds the official said: "Yes."
Separately, Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou told a news conference that China was willing to invest in Greece in a difficult time for the country.
Greece, which is funded by a 110-billion euro EU/IMF bailout, has said it wants to return to markets sometime next year although the EU/IMF package allows it to wait until 2012. (Reporting by Harry Papachristou; Writing by Ingrid Melander)