Davos, Switzerland | Chinese leaders, officials, entrepreneurs and academics, attending the World Economic Forum in Davos this week in record numbers, have sprung to the defence of their country's economic performance, attempting to bat away concerns about the impact of trade tensions and falling consumer confidence.

China's slowing economy and its trade tensions with the US have been the talk of Davos – inevitably featuring in almost every panel discussion – but the sense of uncertainty and concern among many WEF participants is not ostensibly shared by the 90-plus senior Chinese delegates.