Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has called for the country to maintain confidence that it can weather challenges amid a "complicated and tough" outlook of economic development.

"As in 2008, we are now encountering difficulties which can be overcome through hard work," Wen said during his tour to eastern Jiangsu province on Sunday and Monday.

Reflecting the impact of the European debt crisis, exports to the EU, China's top trade partner, edged up only 5 percent this past month, one-quarter of the pace in July and August.

China is also facing shrinking external demand, rising costs and pressure from slowing economic growth and high inflation.

Despite emerging challenges, however, the current momentum of China's economic development is "generally good," Wen said.

China's economic growth has been slowing all year but remains above the global average. Its GDP growth slowed to 9.1 percent in the third quarter from 9.5 percent in the second quarter.

Wen said China will boost domestic demand while stabilizing external demand and keeping its export policies "basically stable" in 2012.

Wen also urged domestic enterprises to enhance their competitiveness. He said efforts should also be made to promote the transfer of industry to the country's western regions, and develop the international market, especially in emerging economies.

He said China will stick to, and further improve upon, the opening-up policy and welcome investment of foreign enterprises in China, adding that the country will protect intellectual property rights and implement a fair and open bidding approach in terms of government procurement.

Private investment in sectors such as railways, public facilities, finance, energy, education and health-care, should be encouraged, he said.

Wen also urged banks to take action in better serving the real economy and financial institutions to enhance support for enterprises while improving management in order to control the capital bubble and prevent risks.