Hu urges bigger say for developing nations

LOS CABOS, Mexico - Chinese President Hu Jintao on Sunday urged leaders of the Group of 20 (G20) members to give developing nations a bigger say in global economic governance.

Hu made the remarks while meeting Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi to discuss the expansion of all-round cooperation between China and Africa on the sidelines of the G20 Los Cabos summit, which is scheduled from Monday to Tuesday.

China hopes the summit could discuss the development gap between the North and the South, regard the developing nations' contribution to the world economy and their legitimate demands in an objective perspective, and take measures to ensure the development space for the developing world, said Hu.

The summit will focus on global growth and stability as the fragile world economic recovery is being threatened by the eurozone crisis and other problems.

Ethiopia and some other non-G20 members have been invited by host Mexico to attend the summit.

The Chinese president also said it is an urgent task to promote development in Africa.

China has offered assistance to Africa to help improve its agriculture, infrastructure, and human resources through the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), he said.

Noting that the fifth FOCAC ministerial meeting will be held in Beijing in July, Hu said China is ready to work with Africa to chart the course for their future cooperation and advance the new type of strategic partnership between the two sides.

On the Sino-Ethiopian ties, President Hu said China is willing to maintain high-level contact with Ethiopia, strengthen communication on major international issues and boost cooperation in trade, investment and infrastructure.

He called for closer coordination between the two nations within the United Nations, the World Trade Organization (WTO) and other multilateral forums so as to safeguard the legitimate rights of developing countries and help shape a more just and rational international political and economic order.

For his part, Meles said the North-South development gap is the root of all other kinds of imbalances worldwide.

Ethiopia and other African countries are ready to strengthen coordination and cooperation with China on issues concerning global economic growth, governance and climate change to safeguard the common interests of developing countries and promote common development across the world, he said.

Meles said China has offered sincere assistance to African nations and is Africa's key partner during the process of the continent's rejuvenation.

African countries welcome China to expand investment to help promote manufacturing and infrastructure in Africa, Meles said, adding that he believed that China will play an even greater role in promoting peace, stability and development in Africa.

Meles appreciated China's assistance to his country, saying Ethiopia will carry out the consensus reached between the two sides and further promote their cooperation and friendship.