Chinese President Hu Jintao (L) meets with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in London, Britain, April 1, 2009. [Ju Peng/Xinhua]

He said Russia will work with China to fight the financial crisis together.

The same day, the Chinese president held talks with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

Hu Jintao says the international community faces a daunting challenge in striving for the recovery of the world economy.

He said all countries across the world are in the same boat. Hu Jintao stressed the need for joint efforts so the boat can sail through the financial turmoil safe and sound.

Brown said he's convinced that with the joint efforts of Britain, China and other countries present at the summit, the summit will make substantive progress in dealing with the downturn.

President Hu Jintao told French President Nicolas Sarkozy the meeting means a new starting point for bilateral relations. He said he hopes the two sides will work together to usher in a new phase in ties.