Chinese President Hu Jintao left Beijing 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.

(Xinhua News Agency April 12, 2010)