The Greek government has approved a new package of tax increases and spending cuts to save 4.8bn euros ($6.5bn; £4.4bn) and ease its budget crisis.

希腊政府批准一揽子增加税收和经费削减政策，旨在节省48亿欧元并缓解预算危机。

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Greece has been hit by a wave of public sector strikes

The measures include rises in sales taxes, a cut in holiday bonuses（奖金） paid to civil servants（公务员） , and a pensions（退休金，养老金） freeze.

The EU had called for austerity measures（紧急措施） amid fears that Greece's problems could undermine（破坏，危害） the eurozone.

The new package was welcomed by the EU and the International Monetary² Fund, but condemned³ by Greek trade unions.

The new measures include:
Pensions freezes
Cuts in public sector pay
A increase in sales tax from 19% to 21%
Rises in taxes on fuel, cigarettes and alcohol
Rises in taxes on luxury goods

'Survival'

Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou has likened the budget crisis to a "wartime situation".

He told reporters: "These decisions are necessary for the survival of the country and the economy, so that Greece can exit the vortex（涡流，漩涡） of speculators（投机者） and defamation⁴（中伤，诽谤） , so that we can breathe and keep on fighting."

The socialist⁵ government has pledged to reduce Greece's budget deficit⁶ from 12.7% - more than four times the limit under eurozone rules - to 8.7% during 2010.

It is also seeking to reduce its 300bn euro ($419bn; £259bn) debt.

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said the plan confirmed that the Greek government was committed to "taking all necessary measures" to cut its deficit.

The German government also welcomed the new austerity（朴素，紧缩） plan, saying it was likely to inspire confidence in Athens.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) called it a "very strong package", AFP news agency reported.

The euro rose against the dollar after it was unveiled. All the major European markets closed up about 1%.

The yield on Greek bonds slipped slightly, reflecting greater confidence in the country's debt.

The US credit rating agency Moody's said the measures were "a clear manifestation⁷（显示，表现） " of Greece's resolve to regain⁸ control of its public finances, the Associated Press (AP) news agency reported.