China to promote SCO's healthy development as rotating chair

A senior diplomat said on Tuesday that China will continue to promote the sound development of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) after it assumes the rotating presidency in mid June.

Assistant Foreign Minister Cheng Guoping made the remarks at a news briefing on President Hu Jintao's upcoming visit to Kazakhstan, Russia and Ukraine from June 12 to 20.

Hu will also attend the annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in the Kazakh capital of Astana, and the 15th International Economic Forum in St. Petersburg.

China will hold the rotating chair of the SCO from June until May 2012, after the Astana summit, said Cheng.

To ensure a better development of the SCO, China has made cooperative plans, which include the proposal of making 2012 the neighborliness and friendship year among the SCO member states, he said.

Hu will raise the proposal at the Astana summit, he added.

The Astana summit will mark the 10th anniversary of the SCO, which was founded in Shanghai in 2001. The regional organization groups China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

Cheng praised the accomplishments made by the SCO, such as increased political trust, security and cultural cooperation, active diplomacy and an improved legal system.

The SCO's achievements demonstrate that its development is in accordance with the fundamental interests of all member states, and it has made important contributions to the peace and stability of the region and the world, he said.
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Source: Xinhua
http://paper.people.com.cn/rmrb/html/2011-06/08/nw.D110000renmrb_20110608_1-01.htm

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