Chinese President to attend Nuclear Security Summit in Washington

Washington, Apr. 2 (ANI): The Chinese Foreign Ministry has announced that President Hu Jintao would attend the upcoming Nuclear Security Summit in Washington.

"China values nuclear security, and opposes nuclear proliferation and nuclear terrorism. this summit will reach a consensus and yield positive results," China Daily quoted Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang as saying at a regular press briefing.

Leaders and representatives of more than 40 countries and some regional and international organizations, such as the European Union and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), are expected to attend the April 12-13 meeting.

"The meeting will discuss steps we can collectively take to secure vulnerable nuclear materials and prevent acts of nuclear terrorism," White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said.

After the summit, Hu will visit Brasilia, capital of Brazil, to attend the second summit of the BRIC countries - Brazil, Russia, India and China - from April 14 to 18.

Meanwhile, Beijing on Thursday reiterated its position on resolving the Iran nuclear issue "through diplomatic means" as Teheran's top nuclear negotiator arrived in the capital.

Qin, repeating China's long-held stance of opposing sanctions, said: "We will strengthen communication with other parties and engage all parties to promote a proper resolution by diplomatic means."

However, according to international media reports, China will, in the coming days, join talks over sanctions on Iran in New York with the US, Britain, France, Russia and Germany.

"China has agreed to sit down and begin serious negotiations in New York," US ambassador to the UN Susan Rice was quoted as saying on Wednesday. (ANI)