BEIJING, Mar 19 (AP) -- The French defense minister said Monday she had invited China to help European governments train and equip an African peacekeeping force.

French Defense Minister Michele Alliot-Marie said the force is meant to respond to intra-ethnic and intra-communal violence.

"We are beginning to open this to non-European countries, as China is interested in Africa, I proposed to them to consider the possibility of associating with these operations," Alliot-Marie said at a news conference.

She said Chinese officials expressed support for African stability but did not say whether they would accept the invitation.

During a two-day visit, Alliot-Marie met President Hu Jintao, China's defense minister and other military officials.

She said she pressed the Chinese for more transparency about their rising military spending and received assurances that much of this year's 18 percent military budget increase was meant to improve living conditions for soldiers.