WASHINGTON - President Hu Jintao arrived here on Monday to attend the Nuclear Security Summit, which analysts say offers a new platform for major countries to work together and signals a change in their strategies on global security.

Before the two-day summit begins in the evening, Hu is scheduled to meet US President Barack Obama, Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama and Ukraine President Viktor Yanukovych.

His entourage includes State Councilor Dai Bingguo, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and Li Yizhong, minister of industry and information technology.