ST. PETERSBURG, Russia, July 17 (UPI) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao said Monday cooperation on energy needs should be a main priority to achieve global energy security.
Hu's remarks came at the sidelines of the Group of Eight summit, hosted by Russia in St. Petersburg. G8 leaders met with heads of China, India, Brazil, Mexico, the Republic of Congo and South Africa, state-run news agency Xinhua reported.
Hu said global energy security is key to world peace and stability and smaller nations will need to cooperate on energy needs to achieve that.
"It is important to strengthen dialogue and cooperation between energy exporters and consumers and among major energy consumers," said Hu.
He said monitoring the global energy market, responding to emergencies and advancing technology and research and development are also needed for global energy security.
He said China's priorities are to conserve energy, use domestic energy resources, diversify those resources, protect the environment and cooperate with other countries on energy needs.
China has often been criticized for its growing energy demand and lax environmental standards.
The G8 side meeting also focused on fighting disease, development in Africa and bolstering education.
