Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon has lashed out at the spirits industry's offer not to take back $300 million in tax collected from the Government's alcopops tax increase, accusing them of "paying a bribe".

The Chinese premier, Wen Jiabao, expressed concern about his country's $US1 trillion ($1.5 trillion) holdings of US government bonds.

"We've lent a huge amount of capital to the US, and of course we're concerned about the security of our assets. And to speak truthfully, I am a little bit worried."

That was all it took.

The Obama administration yesterday made a concerted push to boost confidence in downward-spiraling financial markets, assuring Americans that officials are taking the steps necessary to contain the worsening economic damage and to restore the nation's long-term fiscal health.