The Chinese economy will grow at 9.6 percent this year, instead of 10.8 percent as forecast earlier, because of a global economic downturn, the World Bank (WB) said yesterday.

The bank's latest quarterly economic update on China, however, says the impact of the snowstorms battering a large part of the country now would be limited and temporary.

This is the first time in six years that the economy has been forecast to grow by less than 10 percent. And it comes on the back of a year that saw the economy grow by a 13-year-high of 11.4 percent.

Global economic uncertainties and development issues have dominated the five-day forum, which closed on Sunday in Davos, Switzerland.

The forum has left political and business leaders divided over the prospects for a slowdown in the United States' economy.

The World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting was clouded by mounting concerns over the US' economic outlook in the aftermath of its sub-prime mortgage crisis. Economists warn the world's biggest economy is heading for a recession.

Remember what should be remembered, and forget what should be forgotten.Alter what is changeable, and accept what is mutable.

Happiness is accompanied by sorrow, and it would turn sunny after rain as well. If rain remains after rain and sorrow remains after sorrow, please take those farewells easy, and turn to smilingly look for yourself who is never to appear.