Chinese enterprises should make more efforts to invent new technology in the face of the world financial crisis, said Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Tuesday.

Wen made the remarks when visiting southern China's Guangdong Province, saying it was innovation which would help enterprises find more opportunities and play important roles in the world market.

"No matter how intensive the competition is, innovative products can find their position in the global market," Wen said.

"China should play a leading role in innovation worldwide," he added.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (front), also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, talks on a videophone during his inspection in the Zhongxing Communications Co., Ltd. of Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, April 19, 2009. Premier Wen Jiabao paid an inspection tour of Guangdong Province from April 19 to April 21.(Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

When visited Guangzhou-based Echom Science and Technology Co. Ltd., where he encouraged young employees to take on more responsibilities and have more confidence in the country's economy.

"Youth should make full use of the knowledge in every process of products design," he said.

Meanwhile, governments at all levels should encourage foreign investors to invest and cooperate with Chinese companies in high-tech industries, while domestic enterprises should expand their businesses into overseas markets, he said.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (2nd R, front), also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, laughs as he watches an animation in Shenzhen Huaqiang Holdings Ltd., south China's Guangdong Province, April 19, 2009. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

Wen also stressed the importance of cultural industry development, which was less hit by the economic havoc and still maintains a strong momentum for growth in China.

"The cultural industry has a big potential to expand amid economic stagnancy, which is expected to be greatly boosted by new technologies and innovated products," he said.

As a result of the world financial crisis, Guangdong saw its trade volume, including imports and exports, take a year-on-year decline of 23.1 percent to 115.4 billion U.S. dollars in the first quarter.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (front L), also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, visits the 105th China Import and Export Fair in Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong Province, April 20, 2009. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

Editor: Yan