Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Friday reiterated that confidence is still what China needs most to carry out its all-around economic stimulus package, which has just been approved by the national legislature.

About half a year after the financial crisis began, "I still believe, first and foremost, we need very strong confidence," Wen told reporters at a press conference after the National People's Congress (NPC) closed its annual session.

"Only when we have confidence can we have courage and strength, and only when we have courage and strength can we overcome difficulties," he said.

Wen previously stressed in New York during his U.S. tour in September that "confidence is more important than gold or money."

"At that time (when the crisis began), all the world felt lost and we could not see clearly the prospect of the financial crisis," he said.

"I expect that next year both China and the world will be better off," Wen told reporters.

(Xinhua News Agency March 13, 2009)