A senior Chinese diplomat on Thursday urged developed and developing countries to work on common policies and cooperation to address the global challenges such as climate change and food security.

"China values dialogue between the Group of Eight (G8) and developing countries", Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Jieyi said at a briefing on President Hu Jintao's attendance at the Outreach Session of the G8 Summit.

At the invitation of Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, Hu will attend the Outreach Session of the G8 Summit in Japan from July 7 to 9.

The G8, comprising the United States, Britain, Germany, Canada, France, Italy, Japan and Russia, holds a summit each year.

Liu said the issues to be discussed would be "important" and "urgent", and he hoped the meeting would promote the dialogue between South and North, step up multilateral cooperation to resolve global issues and ensure lasting peace and common prosperity.

Liu said China had been cementing dialogue and exchanges with the G8, citing the fact that Hu had participated in the past four dialogues among leaders of the G8 countries and developing countries.

China was involved in the ministerial meetings between G8 and developing countries focusing on finance, environment, development, science and technology, and energy, Liu added.

Hu would participate in a joint meeting with leaders from India, Brazil, South Africa and Mexico, attend in a summit of G8 countries and five developing countries, and take part in a meeting of leaders from the major economic powers to discuss energy security and climate change.

"President Hu will also attend a working lunch to discuss issues of common concern such as the world economic situation, food security and development", Liu said.

(Xinhua News Agency July 4, 2008)