China hopes that the prestigious World Economic Forum (WEF), which launched its first global meeting of potential corporate leaders Thursday, will help Chinese companies grow stronger and compete in global market, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said.

Wen made the remarks when meeting with WEF Executive Chairman Klaus Schwab before attending the WEF's Inaugural Annual Meeting of the New Champions.

Wen said as China accelerates the pace of opening-up and internationalization of its economy, Chinese companies have increasingly greater exposure to both cooperation and competition in the global arena.

He expressed the hope that the WEF will bring about advanced business ideas, management models and information network to China. He also hoped the forum would facilitate global growth companies to grow up both in China and the world.

The premier noted that the WEF has shown strong interest and will of cooperating with China as it inaugurates the summer meeting in Dalian, which is in parallel to the WEF winter meeting in Davos, Switzerland.

Schwab expressed the belief that the summer meeting will be a success and stay in China for the long run. He said more and more Chinese growth companies are taking active part in globalization as China emerges as an economic power and wield greater influence in global economy.

He expressed gratification on his decision of taking the forum to China and thanked the Chinese government for support and help.

The summer Davos meeting is slated for Sept. 6 to 8 in Dalian this year. It will be held in Tianjin, a port city in North China, next year.

(Xinhua News Agency September 7, 2007)