Florence (Italy), July 8 (Xinhua) Chinese President Hu Jintao cut short his stay in Italy and left for home early Wednesday without attending the G8-G5 summit following the violence in Xinjiang region that has left at least 156 people dead and over 1,000 injured.
State Councillor Dai Bingguo will attend the summit meetings in the central Italian city of L’Aquila on Hu’s behalf.
Hu arrived in Rome Sunday for a state visit at the invitation of Italian President Giorgio Napolitano.
He was scheduled to attend the G8-G5 summit and pay a state visit to Portugal. The Group of Five countries include China, India, South Africa, Brazil and Mexico.
Hu held talks with Napolitano and met Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and parliament leaders.
At least 156 people were killed in ethnic violence in Urumqi, capital of Xinjiang. Police have said they have evidence that the separatist World Uighur Congress led by Rebiya Kadeer masterminded the rioting.
