DALIAN, Sept. 10 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said on Thursday that the World Economic Forum (WEF) is helpful in gathering confidence for fighting global economic downturn.

    Wen made the remarks while meeting with WEF chairman Klaus Schwab on the sidelines of the the Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2009, also known as the Summer Davos.

    The three-day forum, held in northeastern China's port city Dalian, has attracted some 1,400 participants from 86 countries and regions to discuss topics about the theme of "Relaunching Growth".

    The WEF has played a positive role in helping the international community reach consensus and jointly tackle global financial crisis, said Wen.

    Schwab said China actively deals with financial crisis and has facilitated the process of world economic recovery.