SCO prime ministers' meeting gives strong boost to regional economic, security cooperation

BISHKEK - The just-concluded prime ministers' meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) greatly boosted economic and security cooperation among SCO member states, providing fresh impetus to a new type of international relations marked by win-win cooperation.

Over the 15 years since its inception, the organization has played an indispensable role in promoting regional stability and prosperity and also contributed to world peace and development.

Upholding the "Shanghai Spirit" of mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality and consultation, the SCO is about to embrace a brighter future by continuing to deepen pragmatic cooperation on economy and security among its member states.

During the meeting in Kyrgyzstan's capital Bishkek, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang put forward a six-pronged proposal on the organization's future development and cooperation.

Li's proposal, covering a wide range of fields including industrial cooperation, innovation, a regional financing mechanism and people-to-people exchanges, reflected the strong willingness of the SCO members to deepen practical cooperation.

The proposal, which is in line with the overall interests of the whole region, will also help improve people's livelihood and well-being in the region.

Security cooperation and economic cooperation have been two major driving forces behind the rapid development of the regional cooperation mechanism.

Safeguarding regional security is an important mission of the SCO, and one of the top priorities in cooperation among its member states. As a major multilateral mechanism in safeguarding regional security, the organization has dedicated itself to improving its risk resistance capacity and creating a harmonious environment conducive to regional stability.

On security cooperation, Li urged all members during the meeting to observe a concept of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, suggesting more information exchange and cooperation in law-enforcement so as to ensure the safety of peoples, institutions, enterprises and personnel of SCO members.

He also asked SCO members to further strengthen their cooperation and coordination on security and boost the construction of regional anti-terrorism institutions and mechanisms.

It is expected that the SCO will continue to play a pivotal role in safeguarding security in the Eurasian region.

Economic cooperation is another major force driving the development of the organization. Amid a sluggish world economy, accelerating industrial upgrading and carrying out multilateral cooperation are the common aspirations of SCO member states.

During the meeting, leaders of the SCO member states vowed to make joint efforts to drive forward regional economic cooperation and integration and signed a joint communique on deepening cooperation within the SCO.

In the communique, the six leaders agreed that expanding and deepening cooperation among SCO members are in line with the overall interests of the sustainable development of the regional economy.

They reaffirmed that promoting people's welfare and living standard while further enhancing cooperation in fields that accord with common interests are the SCO's top priorities.

According to the communique, initiatives proposed for regional economic cooperation, including China's Silk Road Economic Belt Initiative, are conducive to seeking new models for international cooperation and cementing ties among member states.

They also ratified a list of measures to further promote cooperative projects within the SCO from 2017 to 2021.

Premier Li said that China stands ready to make joint efforts with other SCO members to boost regional trade and facilitate investment, adding that China is open to the initiative of establishing a SCO free trade zone.

As to enhancing production capacity cooperation, Li said China is ready to make joint efforts with other member states to make production capacity cooperation a pillar of regional trade cooperation. Major cooperation projects, including a power plant in Uzbekistan, an oil refinery in Kyrgyzstan, a cement plant in Tajikistan and a China-Uzbekistan industrial park are underway.