Chinese president leaves for nuclear summit in Washington

BEIJING, April 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao left here Monday morning for the upcoming Nuclear Security Summit on April 12-13 in Washington at the invitation of the U.S. President Barack Obama.

Hu will deliver a speech stressing the importance of nuclear security and clarifying China's policy on the issue. Hu will meet with Obama on the sidelines of the summit.

Up to now, leaders or representatives from 46 countries, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the European Union (EU), and other international organizations have confirmed their attendance.

"We hope common ground can be increased between all participants, and that they will pay greater attention to nuclear security, and work together to safeguard international peace and security," Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Cui Tiankai said last week.

China also hoped the summit would push international cooperation to ensure safety of nuclear materials and facilities, as well as the peaceful use of nuclear energy, according to Cui.

After the nuclear meeting, Hu will attend the second summit of the BRIC countries - Brazil, Russia, India and China - scheduled for April 15- 16 in the Brazilian capital of Brasilia.

Discussions among the BRIC countries are expected to center on the need for changes in global institutions, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, and on updating the regulation of financial markets to avoid another global crisis.

China hoped the summit participants could discuss global issues in spirit of mutual benefit, so as to facilitate the recovery of world economy, safeguard the four nations' common interests and advance cooperation.

At the invitation of President Lula of Brazil, President Chavez of Venezuela and President Pinera of Chile, Hu will pay a state visit to Brazil and Venezuela respectively from April 14 to 17 and from April 17 to 18 and make a working visit to Chile on April 18.

During his Latin America tour , Hu will hold talks with Lula, Chavez and Pinera to further friendly relations and deepen cooperation of mutual benefit with the three nations.

Hu's entourage includes Ling Jihua, member of the Secretariat of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee; Wang Huning, member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee and director of the Policy Research Office of the CPC Central Committee; State Councilor Dai Bingguo; Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi; Minister of the National Development and Reform Commission Zhang Ping; Minister of Industry and Information Technology Li Yizhong; Commerce Minister Chen Deming; Vice Foreign Ministers Li Jinzhang and Cui Tiankai and Director of the President's Office Chen Shiju.