Xi puts forward five-point proposal to consolidate, deepen SCO cooperation

The leaders of the SCO reached consensus on maintaining the maritime legal order in accordance with the principles of international laws, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). All disputes on this matter should be resolved by peaceful means through friendly negotiations and consultations by parties concerned, the leaders said, who also opposed the internationalization of the disputes or any external interference.

They also urged all relevant parties to abide by the UNCLOS and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), as well as all clauses contained in the follow-up guideline on implementing the DOC.

The leaders agreed that the SCO has become an effective factor in guaranteeing security, stability and sustainable development in the contemporary system of international relations.

The SCO leaders voiced support for consolidating the core role of the UN in international relations, improving global governance mechanism based on the purpose and principles of the UN Charter, and addressing major international and regional issues by upholding the positions of non-alignment, non-ideologicalization and non-confrontation.

They also agreed to cooperate closely to crack down on terrorism, separatism and extremism, as well as cross-border organized crimes, modern IT-related crimes, and illegal drugs manufacturing and trafficking.

The summit has decided that the next SCO summit will be held in Kazakhstan's capital Astana as Kazakhstan will take over the SCO rotating presidency from Uzbekistan.

The leaders signed the Tashkent declaration on the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the SCO as well as several resolutions to approve an action plan of the SCO development in next five years, and the working reports of the SCO secretary-general and the organization's anti-terrorism institution.

The leaders also witnessed the signing of the memorandums of obligations for India and Pakistan to join the SCO, which is a key step for the two countries to obtain membership of the organization.

Founded in 2001, the SCO has six full members, namely China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, and six observers -- Afghanistan, Belarus, India, Iran, Mongolia and Pakistan.