STEVE INSKEEP, host:
NPR's business news starts with China to the rescue in Europe.
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MONTAGNE: Chinese officials are on a mission to Europe. Spain's leading daily newspaper reports that Beijing is prepared to buy six billion euros, or nearly $8 billion of Spanish government debt. This number has not been confirmed by Chinese officials, but the country has stated its willingness to buy Spanish debt.
This comes as Spain struggles to sell government bonds in the financial markets. Investors are worried about Spain's finances, and that is driving up interest rates that Spain must pay. China has been buying more and more EU government debt and expanding its influence in Europe.