Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao visits deputies from Zhejiang Province in a panel discussion during the annual parliament session in Beijing March 9, 2009. [Xinhua]

Premier Wen Jiabao Monday called for greater support for private companies amid the global financial crisis.

The government should give greater support to not only state-owned enterprises but private companies "as long as they can boost economic development and create jobs", said Wen when joining lawmakers from the eastern Zhejiang Province in a panel discussion during the annual parliament session.

The non-public sector including private companies is an important part of the socialist market economy, and private enterprises play an important and indispensable role in tackling the global financial crisis, he said.

The government should clear obstacles in existing institutions to help the companies solve difficulties in financing to provide a "fair competition environment" for the non-public sector, he said.

(Xinhua News Agency March 9, 2009)