TIANJIN, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- Chairman of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Klaus Schwab on Monday hailed the "active and responsible" role China has played in coping with the international financial crisis.

Schwab is in the north Chinese port city of Tianjin for the WEF's Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2010, also known as the Summer Davos. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met with him on the sidelines of the meeting.

Schwab said China has been a major driving force to promote world economic growth, and expressed confidence in the economic development of the country and the world at large.

Wen spoke highly of the significance of this year's annual meeting amid the current critical time to cope with international financial crisis.

He said the WEF in recent years has focused on such topics as innovation, sustainable development and people' s livelihood, and China would work with the organization to pass on confidence and strength to the world.

Schwab thanked the Chinese government for its long-time support to the WEF, saying the forum would give more concern to issues related to environmental protection and development.

He pledged the WEF would make efforts to promote the harmonious and sustainable development of the world.

Some 1,500 political and business executives from nearly 90 countries, emerging economies and industries in particular, gathered here for this three-day forum to discuss topics under the theme of "Driving Growth through Sustainability".