China can not only maintain a steady and relatively fast economic growth through efforts and getting over difficulties, but also elevate its economy to a new level by overcoming the ongoing financial crisis, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said in Fukuoka Saturday.

The Chinese government has put top priority on maintaining a steady and relatively rapid growth of its economy mainly by expanding domestic demand, especially the consumption demand, Premier said when meeting with staff members from the Chinese Embassy and Consulate in Japan and representatives of overseas Chinese and Chinese students studying in Japan.

To achieve the goal, China has promptly adjusted its macroeconomic policy, introduced active financial policies and a moderately relaxed monetary policy and unveiled a series of domestic-demand stimulus policies, Wen said.

As the world financial situation deteriorates, it is time for China to demonstrate its enormous strength to overcome the difficulties, which has been shown in fighting against the deadly earthquake in Sichuan province in May, Wen said.

The Chinese leadership has confidence in their nation, the companies have confidence in their investment and management, individual Chinese have confidence in consumption and overseas Chinese have confidence in their homeland, Wen said.

"Opportunity knocks but once and time and tide wait for no man," Premier Wen stressed.

Wen arrived in Fukuoka on Saturday morning for a tripartite meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso and South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, and he returned to Beijing later in the day.

(Xinhua News Agency December 15, 2008)