Chinese Premier calls for further reforms, opening up to tackle crisis

"The more difficulties we face, the more firmly we should stick to reforms and opening up," Wen told the lawmakers who are attending the annual session of the National People's Congress, the top legislative body.

Changchun (front L), member of the Standing Committee of  the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC)  Central Committee, joins a panel discussion with deputies  to the Second Session of the 11th National People's Congress  (NPC) from southwest China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region,  in Beijing, capital of China, March 10, 2009.(Xinhua/Liu Jiansheng)

The country should improve its development model with the spirit of reform and innovation and forge its advantage in international economic cooperation and competition by adhering to opening up, said Wen.