Chinese President Hu Jintao (L Front) shakes hands with a woman greeting him in Berlin, capital of Germany, on June 6, 2007. Hu and his wife Liu Yongqing arrived in Berlin by a special plane on June 6. He will attend a group meeting with leaders from Brazil, India, Mexico and South Africa on Thursday in Berlin, and the outreach session of the Group of Eight summit slated for Friday in Heiligendamm, northern Germany. [Xinhua]

BERLIN: President Hu Jintao arrived here last night to attend the outreach session of the Group of Eight (G8) industrialized nations' summit in northern Germany.

Hu will attend a multilateral meeting of the leaders of the Outreach Five developing countries - India, Brazil, Mexico and South Africa in addition to China - in Berlin today as well have a series of bilateral meetings.

Full coverage of China and G8: Environment, economy go together China's approach to battle climate change will guide the country on a new path of industrialization featuring low consumption and low emission, officials and experts say, dismissing suggestions that the country is a "threat" to the global environment. Experts: G8 will add to China's global profile President Hu Jintao's participation in the G8 summit's outreach session will help China deal with major international issues and boost mutually beneficial cooperation with the rest of the developing world, experts said. Climate change runs into heavy weather Outreach sessions a regular feature Hu to attend G8 Summit, visit Sweden Hu's visit sure to be fruitful: Swedish king Hu to enunciate propositions on climate change at G8 Hu to elaborate on climate change at G8 meet Hu to attend outreach session of G-8 Summit Hu, Abe may meet on sidelines of G8 summit

The annual summit of G8 countries - Germany (the current G8 presidency), the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Japan, Italy, Canada and Russia - opened in Heiligendamm yesterday.

With the summit theme "Growth and Responsibility", G8 leaders will discuss global warming and African development among other hot issues.

Hu will present China's propositions on climate change at the outreach session.

There is quite a cloud hanging over this year's G8 summit, which is French President Nicolas Sarkozy's first, and British Prime Minister Tony Blair's last.

Apart from trying to tone down the war of words between the US and Russia on a proposed American missile defense system in Europe, the leaders are also likely to discuss Middle East peace, the Darfur issue, Iran's nuclear program, and the future of Kosovo.

However, G8 members do not appear to have reached a consensus on some issues. There are signs the Americans are starting to get serious about climate change, but it is unlikely that concrete measures limiting carbon dioxide emissions will be agreed on.

One topic, however, seems to be getting more attention than any other: security. A 12-km metal barrier was erected and 16,000 police deployed to ensure the summit is not disturbed.

Thousands of demonstrators marched through the harbor city, most of them peacefully.