By Su Qiang (China Daily)
Updated: 2007-08-17 06:53

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan: President Hu Jintao said on Thursday that the signing of the treaty on long-term friendship among Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states is a milestone and put forward four proposals for the organization's development.

Speaking at the Seventh SCO Summit in Bishkek, Hu said: "Over the past six years, the SCO has become an effective mechanism to boost common interests of member states and a driving force in maintaining peace and promoting development."

Unilateralism, power politics and traditional and non-traditional threats still deprive many developing countries of the benefits of globalization, he said.

"Working together under such complicated international and regional circumstances, the SCO member states have made remarkable achievements in maintaining stability, developing their economies and seeking development modes that suit them."

At times, regional development has been interrupted, or even destroyed by the three evil forces of terrorism, separatism and extremism and drug trafficking and cross-border crimes, he said.

Hu's four proposals for SCO's development are:

Strengthening the political base by implementing sincerely the treaty on long-term good-neighborliness, friendship and cooperation, signed by the heads of state of six SCO members yesterday.

Consolidating the economic foundation by insisting on common development and promoting regional economic cooperation;

Strengthening the social foundation by increasing exchanges on an equal footing with other countries; and

Creating a sound external environment by deepening cooperation with other countries and international organizations.

He said the biggest challenge facing the member states is how to effectively protect their sovereignty, security and development.

"For this, we need to support each other, increase our understanding and treat each other on the basis of the treaty's spirit."

SCO member states should take advantage of their economic supplementation and geographic affinity to maximize their economic independence and development, he said. Also, they should expand their economic cooperation with other countries and international organizations to integrate themselves into and benefit from the international market.

China will continue to provide necessary credit and financing for bilateral and multilateral projects, especially in transportation, telecommunication and energy, Hu said.

"We should learn from each other to seek common development, expand our cooperation on science, culture, education, sports and healthcare, and create a favorable environment for exchanges among the youth."

Hu said China is ready to help people in SCO member states learn Chinese, and wished that they could help the Chinese people to learn more about Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

China supports the SCO to strengthen cooperation with its observers and other countries or international organizations that believe in its goals and principles.

Hu ended his speech by reiterating that developing neighborly cooperation with SCO member states is the priority of China's foreign policy.

"China will work with other member states to promote the 'Shanghai Spirit', implement the treaty on long-term good neighborliness, friendship and cooperation among the member states, and spare no efforts in achieving long-term peace and common development," Hu said.