The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) has become an important force to safeguard regional peace, promote economic development and strengthen multilateral cooperation, Chinese President Hu Jintao said in Beijing Thursday.  

Hu made the remarks while meeting with foreign ministers of SCO member states and heads of the SCO's two permanent organs -- the secretariat and anti-terror center -- who were here to attend the foreign ministers' meeting and the inaugural ceremony of the secretariat.

Hu said that the SCO, with concerted efforts of all members, had improved its organizational structure and shown a better image of peace, cooperation and openness in the world.

Hu called on all sides to promote concrete cooperation in anti-terrorism, security and economy and trade, so that the SCO can make active contribution to regional and global peace, stability and development.

The foreign ministers of six SCO members included Li Zhaoxing from China, Kasymzhomart Tokayev from Kazakhstan, Askar Aytmatov from Kyrgyzstan, Igor Ivanov from Russia, Talbak Nazarov from Tajikistan, and Sodik Safaev from Uzbekistan. At present were also SCO Secretariat Secretary-general Zhang Deguang and Regional Anti-terror Center Director V. T. Casymov.

(Xinhua News Agency January 16, 2004)