On July 3, 2008, Liu Jieyi, Assistant Foreign Minister, Su Wei, Director-General of the Office of National Leading Group on Climate Change and Director of Climate Office with NDRC, Li Zhengdong, Director-General of the Department of International Cooperation, the Ministry of Agriculture, Huang Yanxin, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Industry Policies and Laws of the Ministry of Agriculture, held a briefing for Chinese and Foreign journalists, introducing the background on President Hu's attendance of the dialogue meeting between G8 leaders and leaders from relevant countries. Liu Jianchao, Director-General of the Information Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted the briefing. There were around 100 journalists attending the briefing.

Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Jieyi started the introduction. He said that Chinese President Hu Jintao will attend a dialogue meeting between G8 leaders and leaders from relevant countries in Hokkaido's Lake Toya of Japan on July 9, 2008. China attaches great importance to the dialogue meeting between G8 leaders and leaders from relevant countries, particularly from developing nations. The dialogue meeting will discuss important and urgent issues in current international affairs, such as global economic situation, climate change, grain security, and Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Developed and developing countries should work together to find ways to deal with these issues. We hope that the dialogue meeting may help to strengthen the South-North dialogue, promote multilateral cooperation, and resolve issues of global nature and contribute to a harmonious world with lasting peace and common prosperity.

Liu said that the dialogues and exchanges between China and the G8 have been increasing in recent years. President Hu has attended the dialogue meeting between G8 leaders and leaders from developing nations for four times. China sent a delegation to attend the ministers' meetings between G8 and developing countries on finance, environment, development, science and technology, energy and other areas. In the long run, strengthening dialogues and cooperation between China and G8 will not only serve the interest of both sides, but also benefit the peace, stability and development of the world.

Liu said that President Hu will attend a series of activities during his short stay.

President Hu will attend the collective meeting of the five developing nations, namely China, India, Brazil, South Africa and Mexico on July 8. The leaders will exchange views on issues of common concern.

President Hu will attend the meeting between G8 leaders and leaders from the five developing nations (8+5) on July 9. The leaders will mainly discuss issues related to Heiligendamm process such as investment, energy efficiency, innovation and development.

President Hu will attend the Major Economies Meeting on Energy Security and Climate Change on July 9. The leaders will mainly discuss climate change issues.

President Hu will attend the "8+8" working luncheon on July 9. The leaders will discuss issues of common concern such as global economic situation, grain security, and development.

During the meeting, President Hu will also meet with the leaders of relevant countries and exchange views on bilateral issues and international issues of common interest.

Su Wei, Director of Climate Office with NDRC, expounded on the basic policies and actions of the Chinese government on climate change. He said that the Fourth Assessment Report of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has indicated that global climate change is a fact and it is imposing serious threats to the environment where human beings survive and develop. It is essential to properly address climate change issues. Talking of responsibilities for today's climate change, vast developing countries are innocent and we are the biggest victims of climate change. The impact of climate change is unprecedented in terms of its width, breadth, and depth. Climate change issues cannot be resolved by developed countries sharing major responsibilities for climate change alone. All countries must work together, do their best, and make concerted efforts to address climate change in accordance with the principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities" identified by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Su said: The Chinese government attaches great importance to climate change and advocates a framework for sustainable development to cope with climate change. In June 2007, the State Council established the Office of National Leading Group on Climate Change, which was headed by Premier Wen Jiabao. China issued the National Climate Change Programme, which identified the policy guidance and specific actions and measures to deal with climate change. Last October, President Hu Jintao has clearly identified in the Report of the 17th National Congress of CPC that China will keep on "strengthening capacity building to deal with climate change and make new contributions to protecting global climate" in the process of achieving sustainable development, building resource-saving and environment-friendly society and realizing ecological civilization.

Su said: China is using every means to adjust economic structure, improve energy efficiency and develop renewable forms of energy. China will strive to increase afforestation, increase forest stock volume and carbon sink, and control the emission of greenhouse gases. China will try our best to make active efforts to address climate change in a spirit of being responsible for the Chinese people and the people in the world.

Li Zhengdong, Director-General of the Department of International Cooperation, the Ministry of Agriculture, introduced the grain security topic. He firstly reviewed the current international grain security situation. He said that the rising oil price in recent years has resulted in the rise of living cost. Biomass energy is growing rapidly. Grain demands are on the rise. Natural disasters led to the reduced production of grain in some regions. There are also some other factors leading to the sharp rise of grain price such as the speculations of speculative capitals. The international grain security is facing tough challenges. The impact on developing countries is even greater. The skyrocketing grain price even caused social unrest in many regions. Some countries entered emergent situation. There are over 1 billion people falling into starvation. The poverty reduction and development progress achieved by the international community in the past 5 to 10 years might sweep away overnight. The Consumer Price Indexes (CPIs) in major countries and regions are all on the rise. The world is facing mounting inflation pressure.

Li said: The Chinese government always holds the view that grain security is always the paramount issue for the survival and development of mankind. Grain security for everyone is the basic human right. Global grain security is facing more and more non-traditional challenges and an increasingly complex situation. The weak link in the global grain security chain lies in developing countries. Using grains to produce bio-fuel can also have a tremendous impact on grain security, which can never be neglected. Climate change also poses long-term challenges to grain security. The Chinese government always depends upon domestic grain production and makes constant efforts to improve the overall grain production capabilities. We earnestly fulfill our international obligations for international grain security and strive to do our part to promote the production of grain and the development of agriculture in the world. We will actively provide donations and grain assistance to international grain and agriculture organizations and countries experiencing emergent grain shortage within our best abilities. We will actively make use of our advantages in agricultural technologies to help developing countries improve agricultural and grain production. Moreover, the import and export of China's agricultural products including grain are developing normally. China is having net export of cereal.

Li also introduced the status quo of China's grain security. He said: The Chinese government attaches great importance to grain security all the time and always depends upon domestic production for grain supply. China always sticks to the practice of "having grain in hands". Since the reform and opening up, China's agricultural and grain production keeps on growing in a steady manner. Since 2003, China's grain production has been growing for four consecutive years. Last year, China's grain output exceeded 500 million tons. This summer is a grain harvest season and the grain output increased for the fifth consecutive year. China witnessed net cereal exports for the last 10 years, excluding 2004. The self-sufficiency ratio was always kept above 95%. The Chinese people have to rely on to feed a population of 1.3 billion. This is the greatest contribution to global grain security. We will continue to pay high attention to grain and agricultural production and strive to improve overall grain production capabilities to ensure grain self-sufficiency. We will stick to the principle of "not competing grain and land with other countries". We will lead the development of biomass energy in a scientific manner. We will take effective measures to improve our ability to adapt to climate change and achieve sustainable development.

Li also introduced the policy measures taken by the Chinese government aiming at ensuring grain security. Firstly, China will implement the strictest arable land protection system. Secondly, China will strengthen policy support to grain production. Thirdly, China will strengthen overall grain production ability. Fourthly, China will disseminate improved varieties and advanced pragmatic technologies. Fifthly, China will take active measures to the market-oriented grain reform. Sixthly, China will implement an accountability system with the governor of each province responsible for grain production of that province.

The officials from the three government agencies also answered the questions of journalists.