On the afternoon of July 8, 2008, Chinese President Hu Jintao held a group meeting in Sapporo, capital of Japan's Hokkaido prefecture, with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Brazilian President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva, South African President Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki and Mexican President Felipe Calderon, who are invited to attend the G8 outreach session. The five leaders exchanged views on such issues as promoting South-South cooperation, North-South dialogue and common development as well as other global issues of common concern.

The group meeting was held at Sapporo Grand Hotel. At the beginning of the meeting, Mexican President Felipe Calderon, also chair of the group meeting, delivered a speech, which was followed by speeches by other four leaders.

In his remakes, Hu first expressed heartfelt thanks on behalf of the Chinese government and people to the four countries for their strong support for and sincere assistance to China's rescue and relief endeavors following a devastating earthquake that hit China's Sichuan province on May 12. He also expressed gratitude for the sympathy and condolences they extended to the Chinese people. He said with the care and support form the international community, the Chinese government and people have determination and confidence to win the fight against the massive quake disaster and help those affected to rebuild their homes at an early date.

Hu elaborated on his views on the current international situation. When talking about the growing influence and role of developing countries in international affairs, Hu pointed out that developing nations are an important force for world peace and common development. As the five countries are all major developing ones, closer coordination and cooperation among them will not only contribute to their own development, but also enhance South-South cooperation, promote North-South dialogue and advance the noble cause of peace and development of mankind, he said.

Hu put forward four priority areas for cooperation and coordination among the five major developing countries.

First, strengthening solidarity and coordination and promoting common development. Currently the uncertain and unstable factors in the world economic growth are increasing and they bear direct linkages with the development of the five countries. Under such circumstances, intensified consultation and coordination and closer bilateral and multilateral cooperation of mutual benefit among the five are most needed to minimize the impact of unfavorable factors and maintain the momentum and dynamism of the fast economic growth of the five as well as to make continued contribution to world economic development.

Second, stepping up coordination and advancing South-South cooperation. The five developing countries should make active contributions to and play an exemplary role in promoting South-South cooperation. On the one hand, they should jointly promote multilateralism and democracy of international relations and develop the rights of participation and decision making of developing countries in international affairs. On the other hand, they should push forward reforms in international economic, financial, trade and development regimes, uphold the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries and promote balanced, coordinated and sustainable growth of the global economy.

Third, taking a long-term view and promoting North-South dialogue. The five developing nations should continue to work in an active and pragmatic way under the principle of seeking common ground while shelving differences, and help forge a new North-South partnership featuring equality, mutual benefit, cooperation and win-win progress. They should enhance consultation with developed nations and make full use of the resources of the international community to increase input for global development.

Fourth, working together to shoulder responsibilities. The five have the need and responsibility to work together to exert positive influence on global affairs, increase the say of developing countries and make greater contribution to the building of a harmonious world of enduring peace and common prosperity.

The five countries have vast potential for cooperation, said Hu, adding that there is a lot to do in maintaining world peace and promoting common development. Strengthening solidarity and cooperation is not only in the interests of their own people, but also in the common interests of people all over the world.

On the issue of world food security, Hu pointed out that recently the soaring food prices have become an outstanding issue of the world economy, which increase global pressure for poverty relief and affect regional stability. "Developing countries suffer most from rising food prices and we the five countries have also been affected to varying degrees," he said. Hu dismissed the argument stressing the so-called "responsibility of big developing countries," which blames the development of big developing countries for hikes in world food prices. Such remarks are extremely irresponsible, Hu said. There are in fact multi-faceted and complex factors behind the price hikes, said Hu. He urged the international community to increase cooperation and take comprehensive measures to maintain world food security. Being all major grain producers and consumers, "we should jointly encourage the international community to act more actively to ensure food security," said Hu.

Hu also expressed China's readiness to share experience in agricultural development with other developing countries and provide them help as its capacity allows including dispatching more agricultural technicians to developing countries, training more agricultural technical and managerial personnel for them and increasing agricultural aid to developing nations, so as to raise the integrated agricultural production capacity of developing countries.

The present international situation is complex and volatile with a marked rise in the number of uncertainties, and developing countries are facing plenty of problems, noted the leaders of India, Brazil, South Africa and Mexico in their addresses. Soaring food prices have produced a great impact on the economies of all nations and particularly the needy people in developing countries and result in an increase in the population of those in need, they acknowledged. The cause for food prices hike is complicated and it cannot be attributed to the development of developing countries. Meanwhile, these leaders urged the international community and global agencies to increase their participation to curb international speculations and go all out to stem inflation on the global scale. They also appeal for advancing South-South dialogue and promoting North-South dialogue, and enhancing the global management, so as to enable all nations worldwide and developing countries in particular to benefit from globalization. Moreover, they suggested the five countries step up their coordination to respond to challenges together.

Following the meeting, the five leaders jointly met the press.

Prior to the meeting, the five leaders took a group photo.

Humanity is now at a crossroads in history, notes a joint political declaration issued at the end of the group meeting. There is unprecedented potential for globalization and innovation to improve mankind's livelihood. Meanwhile, the risks and challenges faced by global peace and security and sustainable development are also unprecedented. The current global economic slowdown can be seen in the uncertainties of the financial sector. Continuous harm of trade protectionism, soaring food prices, unsustainability of the energy market and climate change pose even new threats. The interaction of these factors makes the present international situation more complex, notes the declaration.

With a growing interdependence among nations, there is a need to take comprehensive and coordinated modes to jointly respond to the above-mentioned global challenges, it says. We must ensure the sustainability of the national and global development and prosperity, and this poses a historical challenge for this generation. To achieve this basic objective, the declaration adds, the countries concerned must contribute to achieving via coordination and cooperation a fair progress with due importance to be attached to the environment and to assuming the shared responsibilities by the way of international cooperation.

Ling Jihua, member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee (CPCCC) and Director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, Wang Huning, member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee (CPCCC) and Director of the Policy Research Office of the CPC Central Committee, and State Councilor Dai Bingguo attended the above-mentioned activities.