Hu arrives for emergency G8 summit

Source: Xinhua/Shanghai Daily  |   2008-7-8  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

PRESIDENT Hu Jintao arrived in Sapporo, capital of Hokkaido, yesterday for the Outreach Session of the Group of Eight Summit scheduled for tomorrow in the northern Japanese resort of Toyako.

In Sapporo, Hu will attend a meeting today with leaders from India, Brazil, South Africa and Mexico.

At the outreach session, leaders of the G8 major industrialized nations, China and other invited countries, will discuss the issues of climate change and food and energy security.

The G8 of Germany, France, Britain, Italy, Japan, the United States, Canada and Russia kicked off its annual summit in Hokkaido yesterday.

Hu will also attend the Major Economies Meeting on Energy Security and Climate Change tomorrow. Japan has invited Australia, Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, South Korea and South Africa for the meeting with leaders of G8 members.

On the sidelines of the G8 outreach session, Hu is expected to meet some leaders participating in the event to discuss bilateral ties and international issues of concern.

The G8 has strengthened links and dialogue with developing countries in recent years.

"China values dialogue between the G8 and developing countries," Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Jieyi said in Beijing last Thursday. He urged developed and developing countries to work on common policies and cooperation.

Global warming, along with soaring gas prices and African aid, is among topics that will be discussed at the G8 summit. G8 leaders face major differences over how far to go in trying to set limits on pollutants that contribute to climate change.

Scientists have urged rich countries to reduce emissions by between 25 and 40 percent by 2020 to avoid the worst effects of warming. Scientists say warming weather will lead to widespread drought, floods, higher sea levels and worsening storms.