Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang (L) shakes hands with Spain's Second Deputy Prime Minister Elena Salgado, in Madrid, Spain, Jan. 4, 2011. Li Keqiang arrived here Tuesday at the start of a three-nation tour to Europe. [Xinhua]

Visiting Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang said here on Tuesday that China is likely to buy more Spanish government bonds to help the country deal with market concerns about its solvency.

Li made the remarks during a meeting with Spanish Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Elena Salgado.

Li noted that the Spanish government has taken a series of measures to fight the global financial crisis, which will help lift the country out of its severest woes and pave the way for sound economic development in the long run.

"We believe Spain, with its government and people working together, will surely overcome current economic and fiscal difficulties," he said.

Li said that China, as a long-term and responsible player in the Spanish government bonds market, has not reduced its holdings, and even increased its buying activities amid European debt concerns.

"We will buy more (Spanish government bonds) depending on market conditions," he said.

The Chinese leader arrived in Madrid earlier in the day, kicking off a three-day official visit to Spain.

Spain is the first leg of his three-nation European tour, which will also take him to Germany and Britain.