ROME (AP) -- Italy confirmed it held talks with Chinese officials amid speculation Rome is looking to persuade Beijing to buy its bonds or invest in its companies, while premier Silvio Berlusconi flew to Brussels Tuesday to discuss the market turmoil.

The eurozone's third-largest economy is trying to convince investors that it can manage its debt load, find buyers for its bonds and avoid becoming the next victim of Europe's debt crisis.

News of the talks with China sent the Milan stock market higher on the open, following market tensions across Europe. But the rebound was shaky, with stocks fluctuating.