
Chinese President Hu Jintao (2nd R) pose for photos with Indian
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh (1st R), Mexican President Felipe Calderon (C),
Brazilian President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva (2nd L) and South African
President Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki before their meeting in Sapporo, northern Japan,
July 8, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)
SAPPORO, Japan, July 8 (Xinhua) -- Leaders from China, India, Brazil, South
Africa and Mexico gathered in Sapporo, capital of Hokkaido, northern Japan,
Tuesday to exchange views on the issues of common concern.
Chinese President Hu Jintao and leaders of the other four developing
countries were meeting on the eve of an outreach session of the Group of Eight
(G8) summit, slated for Wednesday in the northern Japanese resort of Toyako.
At the outreach session of the G8, leaders of the Group of Eight major
industrialized nations, China and the other countries invited to the meeting
will discuss the pressing issues facing the world today, such as the world
economy, climate change, food and energy security.
The G8, an informal forum of leading industrialized nations, groups
Germany, France, Britain, Italy, Japan, the United States, Canada and Russia.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (2nd R) pose for photos with Indian
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh (1st R), Mexican President Felipe Calderon (C),
Brazilian President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva (2nd L) and South African
President Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki before their meeting in Sapporo, northern Japan,
July 8, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)
At the end of Tuesday's group meeting, the leaders are expected to meet the
press and issue a political declaration on issues ranging from the world
economy, to climate change and food and energy security.
The Group of Eight has strengthened links and dialogue with developing
countries in recent years. Such a trend has helped advance the South-North
dialogue and cooperation, push forward the development of multilateralism, and
promote the resolution of global issues.
"China values dialogue between the Group of Eight and developing
countries," Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Jieyi told reporters in
Beijing Thursday.
He urged developed and developing countries to work on common policies and
cooperation to address the global challenges such as climate change and food
security.