During Hu's meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, the two leaders promised to maintain the sound development trend in bilateral ties, and jointly push forward the strategic and mutually beneficial relations.

President Hu and leaders of several major developing countries, including Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, South African President Thabo Mbeki and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, agreed to strengthen friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation in bilateral ties and international affairs.

BUILD UNDERSTANDING, FRIENDSHIP, COOPERATION

Hu briefed other leaders China's domestic development and current priorities of work, a move to increase mutual understanding and promote friendship and cooperation, the Chinese foreign minister said.

On many occasions, President Hu referred to the progress made by the Chinese people and government in relief work following the devastating earthquake on May 12.

He also thanked the governments and people of other countries for their relief assistance and sympathies offered after the quake. Hu proposed international cooperation in natural disaster prevention and reduction, and share of experience in fighting natural disasters.

(Xinhua News Agency July 10, 2008)