The nation will increase the strength of its peacekeeping force in Lebanon to 1,000 from fewer than 200 now to try and achieve stability in the country, Premier Wen Jiabao said yesterday.

"China is very concerned about the situation in Lebanon and hopes it can be fully resolved," Wen said at a joint press conference with visiting Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi after a one-hour closed-door meeting.

The announcement came as the United Nations peacekeeping force is being expanded to uphold a shaky truce between Israel and the Hezbollah guerrillas.

China sent 182 peacekeepers to Lebanon at the start of the year, its first peacekeeping contingent to the Middle East, before the clashes erupted in July between Israel and the Lebanon-based Hezbollah.

Wen also said that the country would offer humanitarian assistance in materials worth 40 million yuan (US$5 million) to Lebanon, half of which has already been provided.

Prodi praised China for sending more peacekeepers, saying it shows that "China is assuming more and more international responsibilities."

Prodi began a six-day official visit last Wednesday, which took him to major Chinese cities such as Nanjing, Guangzhou, Shanghai and Tianjin. The capital is the last stop on his trip.

Speaking at the news conference, Prodi said his country was inclined to supporting the end of a 17-year-old ban on arms sales China.

Italy is "leaning towards lifting the embargo on arms sales to China," he said.

The embargo was imposed by the European Union (EU) in 1989 and Beijing has repeatedly tried to get the ban lifted, calling it a "Cold War relic." France is in favour, but others in the 25-nation EU have failed to reach agreement.

Prodi also expressed support for China's efforts to win market economy status, which would help the nation avoid dumping allegations. "We should resolve this issue as quickly as possible because it can't wait," said Prodi, a former European Commission president.

China is the first non-EU country that Prodi chose to visit since he became Italy's prime minister. Observers consider his trip a part of Rome's new quest to improve political relations with Beijing and search for business opportunities in the fast-growing economy.

Accompanying him is a large delegation comprising government officials and more than 700 business leaders.

In an article published after assuming the post of the prime minister, Prodi said he plans to turn Italy into a "Door to the East" with a plan that includes expanding the country's business presence in China and attracting Chinese investment into the euro zone's third-largest economy.

"I have taken note of Mr Prodi's words," Wen told reporters. "I want to stress here that China's door is open to Italy and the whole world as well."

Wen said he hopes the Italian government can continue to play a constructive role in China-EU relations.

During the talks, the two leaders agreed to make efforts to balance trade between the two countries, expand mutual investment in various fields and increase cooperation between small enterprises.

They also witnessed the signing of 15 documents concerning partnerships between the two countries.

(China Daily 09/19/2006 page1)