IN BRIEF

Li meets former PM of Greece

China would like to work with European Union countries, including Greece, to support free trade and facilitate investment, Premier Li Keqiang said on Wednesday in a meeting with Antonis Samaras, the former Greek prime minister. China is willing to enhance mutual political trust with Greece, expand cooperation in key areas and boost understanding between the people of both countries, Li said. Samaras said friendship with China is universally desired from all walks of life in Greece.

China objects to Dalai Lama visit

China will not tolerate behavior by other countries that harms its "core interests", Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said on Wednesday, commenting on reports that Botswana will allow the Dalai Lama to visit next month. Lu said at a daily news briefing that Tibet-related issues concern China's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Pyramid scheme suspects arrested

The police announced the detention of 63 people affiliated with Shanxinhui, a company suspected of organizing and leading a pyramid scheme. The detentions followed a gathering in Beijing on Monday that included people who had paid money to Shanxinhui with the expectation of high profits, authorities said. "Some members of Shanxinhui were incited by those with ulterior intentions to illegally gather in Beijing, seriously disturbing the capital's social order," the police said.