President Hu arrives in Yekaterinburg for SCO summit

Chinese President Hu Jintao has arrived in Yekaterinburg in central Russia for a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Following that, he is set to attend the BRIC meeting with leaders of Brazil, Russia, and India.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (2nd L) arrives in Jekaterinburg, Russia,  on June 14, 2009, for a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization  (SCO) and a meeting of BRIC countries, namely Brazil, Russia, India and  China. (Xinhua/Lu Jinbo)

President Hu Jintao was greeted by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexei Borodavkin and other Russian officials at the airport.

The annual SCO summit is expected to further implement a treaty that promotes long-term neighborliness, friendship, and cooperation among the SCO's six member states.

The summit is aimed at boosting regional cooperation in politics, security, the economy, and cultural exchanges.

Leaders will exchange views on how to tackle the global financial crisis, and promote an early economic recovery in the region.

At its conclusion, the summit will issue a joint statement and produce other cooperation documents.

In Yekaterinburg, President Hu will also attend the first formal meeting of BRIC countries, an acronym for the four quickly developing economies of Brazil, Russia, India, and China.

BRIC leaders will discuss reform of international financial institutions, food and energy security, climate change, trade, and the future of BRIC dialogue.

Later, in Moscow, President Hu Jintao is expected to attend activities marking the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Russia.

In all, the Chinese president is on a three-nation trip. He will also visit Slovakia and Croatia.