SCO calls for nuclear-weapon-free zone, space security

Member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) called for the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in central Asia in a declaration released after the conclusion of the group's Beijing summit on Thursday.

The SCO calls on all nuclear weapon states to sign relevant protocols to the Treaty on a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in Central Asia and take real steps to move forward the establishment of a nuclear weapon-free zone in the region, according to the declaration on Building a Region of Lasting Peace and Common Prosperity.

All member states stand for ensuring outer space security, peaceful use of outer space and prevention the weaponization of outer space, said declaration of the heads of state of the member states of the SCO.

Member states will work to build a peaceful, secure, fair and open information space, on the basis of the principles of respect for state sovereignty and non-interference in other countries' internal affairs, according to the declaration.

The member states oppose using information and telecommunication technologies in a way that "endangers their political, economic and social security" and will work to prevent the Internet from being used to promote terrorism, extremism and separatism, it said.