BEIJING  -- Chinese President Hu Jintao arrived in Sapporo, capital of Hokkaido, Monday for the Outreach Session of the Group of Eight (G8) Summit, slated for Wednesday in the northern Japanese resort of Toyako.

Chinese President Hu Jintao is welcomed by Japanese officials and officials from the Chinese embassy in Japan upon his arrival at New Chitose International Airport near Sapporo, capital of Hokkaido, July 7, 2008. [Chinanews]

In Sapporo, President Hu will attend a group meeting Tuesday with leaders from India, Brazil, South Africa and Mexico. They are expected to exchange views on issues of common interest, according to Chinese diplomats.

At the Outreach Session of the G8 Summit, leaders of the Group of Eight major industrialized nations, China and other countries invited to the meeting, will discuss the pressing issues facing the world today, such as the world economy, climate change, food security and energy security.

The G8 Summit, an informal forum of leading industrialized nations, gathers Germany, France, Britain, Italy, Japan, the United States, Canada and Russia.

The Chinese president will also attend the Major Economies Meeting on Energy Security and Climate Change Wednesday. 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, President Hu is expected to meet some leaders participating in the event to discuss bilateral ties and international issues of common concern.

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.