On July 16, 2006, Chinese President Hu Jintao held a group meeting with leaders from other 5 developing nations including Brazilian President Lula Da Silva, Mexican President Vicente Fox Quesada, South African President Thabo Mbeki, President of the Republic of Congo Denis Sassou-Nguesso and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who were to attend the outreach session of G8 summit in St. Petersburg, Russia. The six leaders exchanged views on strengthening cooperation among developing countries and common development.

The group meeting was held at Grand Europe Hotel, St. Petersburg, at 18: 50, local time.

In his remarks at the meeting, Hu pointed out the surging economic globalization and advances in science and technology in the world today have brought about rare opportunities of development for every country around the world. At the same time, however, no country, especially those in the developing world, is immune from grave challenges, said Hu, noting that the gap between the North and the South is widening, and world economic development is more uneven.

Against the backdrop of both opportunities and challenges, said Hu, to strengthen cooperation among developing countries, "we need to focus on the present and adopt a strategic and long-term perspective". He put forward the following three-point proposal. The first is to fulfill commitments and advance international development cooperation. The international community, especially the developed countries, should take more active and effective measures to deliver their promise on the provision of funds, debt reduction and cancellation and market access. Necessary reforms are also needed to make the international economic system and rules more fair and equitable and provide more room and opportunities for developing countries to grow. The second is to enhance cooperation and work for the successful conclusion of the Doha Round negotiations. Parties concerned should be pushed to show political will and greater flexibility for the successful conclusion of the Doha Round negotiations at an early date. The third is to be pioneering and innovative and deepen South-South cooperation. Countries should strengthen unity and cooperation to promote multilateralism and democracy of international relations; should adhere to mutual benefits, expand area of economic and trade cooperation and encourage diversified modes of cooperation to complement each other's advantages for common development; and should respect and learn from each other, be open-minded, embrace diversity of the world and multiple modes of development and promote progress of human civilization by seeking common ground and drawing on each other's merits.

On Africa's development, Hu stressed that the international community should pay more attention to African stability and development, and as members of the developing world, they should and can, in one way or another, assist African countries in implementing the "New Partnership for Africa's Development" and realizing the Millennium Development Goals.  The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and the third ministerial conference between China and African countries will be held in Beijing in November. China will continue to work with African countries to make it a gathering that highlights solidarity and practical cooperation. Striving to build a harmonious world featuring lasting peace and common prosperity is in the common interest of all nations across the world. Hu expressed willingness to work with all other parties to realize this lofty goal.

Brazilian President Lula, Mexican President Fox, South African President Mbeki, President of the Republic of Congo Sassou-Nguesso and Indian Prime Minister Singh made remarks at the meeting respectively. They aired their views on the agenda of this outreach session including global energy security, fighting communicable diseases, education and Africa's development, expressing willingness to promote the proper solution of these issues through South-South and South-North cooperation. They also discussed the Doha Round negotiations, emphasizing the negotiations should highlight the theme of development and pay attention to the concerns of developing nations to achieve a package of results that are balanced and can play a concrete role in promoting world economy.

Hu arrived in St. Petersburg by special plane at 12:30 on July 16, local time, to attend the outreach session of the Group of Eight (G8) summit to be held on July 17. He was warmly welcomed by Russian First Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Denisov, St. Petersburg's Deputy Mayor Sergei Tarasov and other officials.

Chinese Ambassador to Russia Liu Guchang and the staff of the Embassy greeted Hu at the airport.

State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan and other accompanying officials arrived by the same plane.