Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said yesterday that President Hu Jintao's state visit to Sweden and his participation at the G8 Summit was productive.

Yang also said that President Hu has explained China's position on major international issues such as climate change on many occasions. Hu has put forward a series of proposals during his exchange with the leaders of Sweden, the G8, and other developing countries.

President Hu was part of the 'outreach five' at the G8 summit, which is comprised of China, India, Brazil, Mexico, and South Africa. President Hu hopes to promote more unity and better cooperation among developing countries, so that they can work together to set up a sound international economic order.

He urged the countries to develop strategies and policies that suit their respective national conditions and speed up economic development. He suggested that the industrialized world should, in return, increase its assistance, reduce and cancel debts, open its markets and transfer more technologies to developing countries. The international community, he said, should promote balanced and stable growth of the world economy.

Hu's explanation of China's position on climate change has helped the international community understand the country's strategy towards sustainable development. In accordance with the UN convention, he said that China has strengthened its law-making and enforcement efforts to tackle this issue.

President Hu had an in-depth discussion with 12 foreign leaders on a broad range of issues. All have agreed to have more political dialogues to strengthen economic cooperation, cultural exchanges, and coordination on global affairs.

He also discussed major global and regional matters, such as the Korean Peninsula and Iranian nuclear issues and the Darfur and Kosovo questions with other top leaders.

His visit to Sweden was the first visit by a Chinese head of state, even though the two countries have had diplomatic ties for 57 years.

Questions:

1. What 5 countries are considered the 'outreach five'?

2. In addition to environmental issues, what are the other global and regional matters President Hu Jintao brought up with the world's top leaders?

3. Even though China and Sweden have had diplomatic ties for 57 years, how many times has the Chinese head of state visited the country?

Answers:

1. China, India, Brazil, Mexico, and South Africa.

2. Korean Peninsula and Iranian nuclear issues & Darfur and Kosovo questions.

3. This was the first visit.