The July 9 dialogue between leaders of the Group of Eight (G8) and emerging economies will focus on the global downturn and serve to boost cooperation between the industrialized and developing countries, a senior Chinese diplomat said here Thursday.

"We expect the 8+5 meeting will give a strong signal for further cooperation on tackling the financial crisis on the basis of the G20 summits," said vice Foreign Minister He Yafei at a briefing on President Hu Jintao's schedule.

Mexican President Felipe Calderon, as a coordinator of the +5 (China, India, Brazil, South Africa and Mexico), will chair the dialogue with G8 leaders in L'Aquila, central Italy.

The summit will also discuss global challenges such as climate change, energy and food security, international trade and development issues.

"We expect the meeting will help to raise concern on the impact of the global downturn on development issues and food security, especially in African countries," He said.

The Doha round of talks of the World Trade Organization (WTO) will also be touched upon during the summit, He said, noting China is against trade protectionism being implemented using the cover of climate change.

Hu Jintao will meet his counterparts, government heads and parliament speakers in Italy and also in Portugal, said He.

"As a real move to oppose trade protectionism, a group of some 200 Chinese businessmen will accompany President Hu's visit to Italy, to promote trade and investment," He said.

Hu will also attend business forums in Italy and Portugal on the sidelines of the visits.

(Xinhua News Agency July 2, 2009)