China and its five northernneighbours on Friday established a regional cooperation mechanism, the ShanghaiCooperation Organisation (SCO), to jointly combat terrorism, ensure regionalsecurity in central Asia as well as to work for a multi-polar world.
Chinese president Jiang Zemin, Russian president Vladimir Putin, Kazakhpresident Nursultan Nazarbayev, Kyrgyz president Askar Akayev, Tajik president EmomaliRakhmonov and Uzbek president Islam Karimov signed the declaration of the 'ShanghaiCooperation Organisation' (SCO) at a summit in the east China metropolis, Shanghai.
The six countries will join hands to crack down on the 'three evil forces'— terrorism, separatism and extremism — which they say are threatening theterritorial integrity and security of the six countries and their political,economic and social stability.
The declaration said that the organisation would try all out to safeguard theregional security and cooperate with each other in fighting against 'three evilforces.' "The SCO summit was a complete success for regional cooperationand joint crackdown on terrorism, separatism and extremism," Jiang, alsothe host, said, adding that it unveiled a new chapter for friendly relationsbetween the six nations.
The SCO member states also announced to initiate an anti-terrorism centre inBishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
The Shanghai pact on battling terrorism, separatism and extremism willprovide a legal framework for joint efforts of member countries, security andstability of the region, Chinese foreign ministry officials said.
The pact provides clear legal definition on the term of"terrorism", "separatism" and "extremism." It alsostipulates the specific way and procedure of cooperation.
The six countries pledged that they will abide by the objectives andprinciples of the UN charter and other relevant statements and declarationpreviously signed by the "Shanghai Five" members.
Officials said the pact would help maintain the political stability of membercountries as well as economic development and social stability. It will alsohelp provide a favourable environment for wide-range economic cooperation.
Commenting on the establishment of the SCO, Jiang said it has far-reachingimpact on ensuring regional security and pushing forward world multi-polarisation.
"The SCO's establishment conforms with the current trends of peace anddevelopment and meets basic interests of the six countries' people," Jiangtold reporters.
While encouraging member states to cooperate in economy and trade, scienceand technology, culture, education, energy, transportation and environmentalprotection, the SCO aims to create a new international political and economicorder featuring democracy, justness and rationality.
The signing parties of the declaration also promoted the "Shanghai Spirit",which embodies mutual trust and benefit, equality, consultation, mutual respectto different civilisations and common prosperity.
The organisation also pledged to allow other countries, which must meet itsrequirements, to join in.
The presidents agreed that the second summit of the SCO would be held in Russiain 2002.
