WORLD> Backgrounder
China and G8
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-07-08 14:05

BEIJING: The Group of Eight (G8), which serves as a coordination mechanism for leading industrialized countries, has been playing an important role in world politics and economic affairs.

In recent years, thanks to China's rapid economic growth and rising international influence, the G8, grouping Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and the United States, has begun to attach ever greater importance to developing its relations with China.

The G8 countries has aimed to enhance their communication with China on major international issues and work together to cope with a host of challenges faced by mankind.

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The 2003 G8 summit was held in Evian, France. Along with heads of state or government from several developing countries, Chinese President Hu Jintao was invited to attend the first informal South-North dialogue meeting ahead of the G8 summit and made a package of proposals on world development and cooperation in his address to the meeting.

Since then, President Hu has successively attended four dialogue meetings, in July 2005, July 2006, June 2007 and July 2008 respectively, briefing participants about China's stance on major international issues such as global economy, climate change and energy security. He also exchanged views with other leaders who attended these meetings.

China, on the other hand, also attaches importance to its communication, consultation, dialogue and exchange with the G8. China has attended the dialogue meetings with the G8 in the belief that developed and developing countries should become equal partners for cooperation, strive to achieve mutual benefits and win-win results and work together to meet global challenges.