Hu focuses on energy at G8

President Hu Jintao used his G8 Summit address Monday to call for greater cooperation on international energy security. His speech identified three priority areas: policy coordination and improved mechanisms for monitoring the international energy market and responding to energy emergencies; development of an R&D system for advanced energy technologies and energy-saving technologies: and increasing efforts to maintain a sound political climate favorable to energy security and stability. "We should join hands to safeguard stability of energy-producing countries and regions, the Middle East in particular," he said. "Energy issues should not be politicized, still less should countries willfully resort to force in tackling energy issues." Hu also discussed education, economic cooperation, and the prevention and control of diseases.