Christine Lagarde said she was “positive and confident” about her bid to become the next head of the International Monetary Fund after two days of meetings in Beijing to discuss her candidacy ahead of today’s deadline for applications.
The French finance minister backed a greater role for China in the IMF and repeated her commitment to continue reform of the fund – one of the central demands of emerging markets.
“I am very satisfied with my visits yesterday with my Chinese friends,” Ms Lagarde said on Thursday, referring to meetings with Zhou Xiaochuan, governor of the People’s Bank of China, Wang Qishan, vice-premier, Xie Xuren, minister of finance, and Yang Jiechi, foreign minister.