Chinese premier expresses confidence in weathering crisis, calls for cooperation

Source: Xinhua | 02-03-2009 08:19

LONDON, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said Sunday that he is confident China will weather the global economic crisis, calling for cooperation to tackle the financial storm.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (R) receives an interview by  Lionel Barber, editor of the Financial Times, in London,  Britain, Feb. 1, 2009. Wen is on a three-day official  visit to Britain, the last leg of his week-long European  tour. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)

The confidence comes from a correct judgment of the current situation, Wen said in an interview with the Financial Times.

In addition, he said China has confidence because of its stable and sound financial market, broad market potential and leeway to deal with the crisis.

Most importantly, Wen told the newspaper, China has confidence that it will weather the financial storm because of the government's swift and powerful measures to decisively deal with the situation.

Wen also said he is confident that China will maintain economic growth at "about 8 percent" this year.

"China's GDP was at 9 percent as a whole last year, but in the fourth quarter of 2008 we also had a big decline and it fell to 6.8 percent," he said. "Our economy is under increased downward pressures and all this means that we are now facing great difficulties."