President Hu Jintao attends BRIC summit

President Hu Jintao has called for closer cooperation among BRIC countries to tackle the global financial crisis. He was speaking at the first BRIC summit in Yekaterinburg where he was joined by leaders from Brazil, Russia and India. The Chinese President is now in Moscow, where he has started his official visit to Russia, aimed at building a stronger strategic partnership of cooperation between the two countries.

For the first time, leaders from four of the world's major emerging  economies gathered to discuss issues of common concern. The four  countries represent more than 40 percent of the world's population  with nearly 15 percent of global GDP.

For the first time, leaders from four of the world's major emerging economies gathered to discuss issues of common concern. The four countries represent more than 40 percent of the world's population with nearly 15 percent of global GDP.

President Hu Jintao called the BRIC summit "a historic opportunity" to strengthen unity and cooperation and safeguard the interests of developing counties.

Hu Jintao proposed to strengthen political trust, and deepen economic and cultural cooperation.

Financial crisis remains at the top of the agenda, as its impact could be worse for developing countries than for developed ones.