By Zhao Yinan
China Daily - 2015-03-18
Germany agrees to join; France and Italy set to follow UK in applying
Economic integration among Asian countries will be accelerated by more European nations joining the Beijing-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, according to experts.
German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said during the first China-Germany high-level economic and financial dialogue in Berlin on Tuesday that Germany has decided to apply for founding membership of the bank.
France and Italy have also agreed to follow Britain's lead and join the international development bank, according to a Financial Times report that quoted European officials.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei did not confirm if the central government has received applications from France and Italy. But he said China is glad to see more countries join the AIIB as founding members, and the bank's diversified membership will boost the regional economy and promote professionalism and efficiency in investment.
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