Vice-Premier Li Keqiang welcomes Klaus Schwab, executive chairman of the World Economic Forum, to Beijing on Tuesday. The forum can play a critical role as the global economy faces challenges, Li said. [Photo/Xinhua]

The international community needs more cooperation to handle the complex global economic situation, Vice-Premier Li Keqiang said when meeting Klaus Schwab, executive chairman of the World Economic Forum on Tuesday.

The world faces a complicated and severe economic situation and is entering a sensitive period in which uncertainties are accumulating, and that underscores the necessity of international cooperation, Li said, adding that the World Economic Forum can play a bigger role in promoting countries and regions to reach consensus in addressing challenges.

Li spoke highly of the "unique role" played by the forum in promoting global economic and technological exchanges and in dealing with the international financial crisis.

Facing the complex global economic situation and its increasing uncertainties, it is essential for the international community to strengthen cooperation, he said.

He called upon the forum to continue providing a platform for all parties to jointly cope with global challenges and promote sustainable development.

Li said that while continuing to conduct trade, economic and technological exchanges with the outside world, China will pay more attention to deepening cooperation in the fields of brainpower and knowledge, sharing experience on development with other countries to boost win-win development.

Schwab hailed China's important global economic role, promising he will continue to serve China's development with the forum's resources.

Also on Tuesday, Li called for more involvement of United States companies in China's economic development when meeting with Steven Kandarian, chairman, president and CEO of the Metlife Inc.

Li said US companies in China had "witnessed, participated in and benefited" from the fast growth of the bilateral trade and economic cooperation.

Li said he hopes Metlife Inc and other international enterprises would grasp the opportunity and play an active role in financial and insurance cooperation between China and the United States.

Kandarian said the company will continue to strengthen cooperation with Chinese companies and promote the development of bilateral ties between the countries.