Xi makes four-point proposal for SCO development

Chinese President Xi Jinping attends the 14th meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Dushanbe, capital of Tajikistan, Sept. 12, 2014. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday made a four-point proposal for the development of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). [Special coverage]

When delivering a speech at the 14th meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State in the Tajik capital of Dushanbe, Xi said the six-nation bloc has entered a crucial stage of development as the world is undergoing complex and profound changes.

"It is our common responsibility and mission to bring more security and benefit to the SCO member states and their people," he said.

The Chinese president made a four-point proposal on the SCO development.

Firstly, safeguarding regional security and stability is the SCO member states' responsibility, he said.

"Currently, (we) should focus on combating religion-involved extremism and internet terrorism," said Xi.

He suggested the SCO members launch consultation on an anti-extremism convention and initiate studies on a mechanism for actions against internet terrorism.

"(We) should take it as our own responsibility to safeguard regional security and stability, enhance our ability to maintain stability, continue to boost cooperation on law enforcement and security, and improve the existing cooperation mechanisms," said Xi.

The president also called on the SCO members -- China, Kazakhstan,Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan -- to grant the group's Regional Counter-Terrorism Structure (RCTS) new function to combat drug trafficking at an early date.

"(We) should make concerted efforts to crack down on the 'three evil forces' of terrorism, extremism and separatism," he said.

Secondly, the SCO member states should adhere to the goal of common development and prosperity, Xi said.

The member states should discuss the possibility of conducting more extensive and higher level cooperation in trade and investment, in a bid to push forward regional economic integration, said Xi.

He urged member states to reach an agreement on establishing the SCO financial institution at an early date and beef up policy coordination on energy and food.

The president called on member states to enact an SCO partnership plan in science and technology, and to speed up the building of an information sharing platform on environment protection.

Thirdly, the SCO member states should comprehensively promote people-to-people exchanges, said the Chinese president.

Xi suggested the SCO member states strengthen capacity building on international communication, enhance media cooperation, and support personnel training in the fields of public policy, administration and judiciary.

China is willing to provide training opportunities for 2000 people of the SCO member states from 2015 to 2017, including officials, as well as management and technological staff, he said.

China will also invite 50 youth leaders from SCO member states to study in China every year over the next five years, said Xi.

Fourthly, the SCO should expand external exchanges and cooperation, he said.

Any country that is willing to join the SCO and meets the criteria is welcome to apply for the membership of the organization, said Xi.

Xi also urged to strengthen the cooperation between the SCO member countries and its observers, as well as communication between SCO member countries and the organization's dialogue partners, adding that the SCO should cement cooperation with international and regional organizations, such as the United Nations and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia.

Xi said the SCO member countries, observers and dialogue partners are welcome to vigorously participate in the joint building of the Silk Road Economic Belt and promote regional connectivity.

Noting that the SCO is facing significant opportunities and bright prospect, Xi stressed that the member states "should stick to the 'Shanghai Spirit' of mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for cultural diversity and pursuit of common development."

"We should join hands to deal with threats and challenges with the strength of unity and cooperation and jointly push forward SCO's development," he said.