Assets in euros 'must be protected'

Greek uncertainty may hit value of reserves, economists warn

The government must guard against losses in euro assets amid uncertainty in the eurozone as Greeks head to the polls again on June 17, financial experts said.

The Greek crisis could see the euro drop, Liu Mingli, a researcher with the Institute of European Studies at the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations, said.

If Greece is forced to leave the eurozone "it will be the first domino to fall and panic will soon spread to other countries such as Portugal, Ireland and Spain", Liu said.

China should also plan in advance to protect euro assets which account for 10 to 20 percent of its $3.3 trillion foreign reserve portfolio, just in case the eurozone eventually collapsed, he warned.

His comments came as inconclusive talks between German leader Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande were followed by a reminder from the German finance minister that Greek voters should not think that they can renegotiate rescue conditions.

EU officials fear that the Greek electorate could bring an anti-bailout party or coalition to power.

This, in turn, could see a Greek exit from the euro, a prospect being openly talked about by European leaders.

Opinion polls put Syriza, a left-wing bloc stridently opposed to the bailout, as favorites to win the election but still falling short of an overall majority.

People are concerned that an exit from the euro and bringing back the drachma, the former currency, could wipe out their savings. If Greeks actually reject the bailout then EU funding will stop.

The feeling that Greece has taken yet another step toward the unknown was reflected in remarks by IMF chief Christine Lagarde who openly referred to the possibility of Greece having to leave the eurozone.

"It is something that would be extremely expensive and would pose great risks but it is part of options that we must technically consider," she told French TV on Tuesday.

European leaders are publicly committed to keeping Greece in the eurozone and they even scheduled an urgent "informal dinner" next Wednesday in Brussels to find compromises between austerity and growth.

Stock markets have fallen sharply on euro fears.

Europeans are also worried about differences in approach between Paris and Berlin, the main drivers of the EU.

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