Chinese President Hu Jintao Arrives in Russia for SCO and BRIC Summit

Anchor: Chinese President Hu Jintao is in Yekaterinburg in central Russia to attend a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and a meeting of BRIC countries. The slumping global economy and regional security will be among those points discussed by the top leaders. Wang Ling has more.

Reporter: It is largest ever summit meeting of the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation, or SCO, since it was formed in 2001 by China, Russia and the four Central Asian countries of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

From its original purpose to curb extremism in the region and enhance border security, the organization is now focusing on the impact of the global financial crisis.

Chinese deputy foreign minister, Li Hui, briefed a press conference ahead of the Summit.

"The SCO summit is expected to further implement the treaty of long-term neighbourliness, friendship and cooperation between the SCO member states. It also seeks to boost regional cooperation in the areas of politics, security, economy, cultural and people-to-people exchanges and working together to tackle the global financial crisis and promote an early economic recovery in the region."

On Tuesday, the economic leaders of the four emerging BRIC countries, namely Brazil, Russia, India and China, will also convene together for the first time to focus on the international financial crisis.

They'll also discuss the reform of the world financial institutions, food and energy security and the future of BRIC.

Jiang Yi from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences says the four emerging economies are expected to play bigger roles in the sagging world economy.

"The international communities hope the BRIC countries, especially China, will be able to make more contributions to the development of the world economy and politics. China's thawing economic situation will certainly help the world economy recover. And I think China will continue its active involvement in international cooperation in different fields. "

During his stay in Russia, President Hu Jintao will also attend activities marking the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Russia.

He will also make state visits to Slovakia and Croatia.

Jiang Yi says China hopes to strengthen ties with Eastern European countries through Hu Jintao's visit.

"It will help China reinforce its traditional bond with its East European friends. Strengthening relations with the East Europeans counties will also hopefully work to help boost cooperation between China and the EU."

Wang Ling CRI news.