China hopes for progress on SCO new membership

China hopes the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tajikistan will make progress in admitting new members, Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said on Friday.

The SCO has been playing an increasingly important role in maintaining regional security and stability while boosting cooperation and common development among members, Qin said at a regular news briefing.

Founded in Shanghai in 2001, the SCO groups China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. It has Afghanistan, India, Iran, Mongolia and Pakistan as observers, and Belarus, Turkey and Sri Lanka as dialogue partners.

Some countries have expressed willingness to join the organization or strengthen communication and cooperation with it, reflecting the dynamics and attraction of the organization, Qin said.

SCO members will have serious discussions on the development of the organization during the summit this month in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, Qin said. "We hope progress can be made on formulating regulations and taking new members."

The organization is willing to continue exchange and cooperation with other international organizations and countries, the spokesman added.