Culture Ministers of the six member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) met for the first time in Beijing Friday and signed a joint statement to boost cultural exchanges and cooperation.

Culture Ministers from China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan spoke and shared views on current issues and prospects of cultural exchanges and cooperation among the six countries.

Chinese Minister of Culture Sun Jiazheng said that the SCO was established on June 15, 2001, with the aim of promoting world peace and friendly cooperation among the six neighboring countries in the 21st century. It was also expected to maintain regional peace and stability, and speed up the launch of political and economic rules of justice.

Sun also said cultural exchanges and cooperation among SCO member states will play an irreplaceable role in promoting mutual understanding and traditional friendship among the six peoples, and further all-round cooperation among the six countries.

The Joint Declaration said that the six SCO member countries jointly advocated that the diversification and uniqueness in the cultures of different countries and peoples should enjoy full respect in the process of globalization. All forms of civilization should co-exist peacefully and learn from each other under equal conditions to achieve co-development.

All parties agreed that cultural exchanges and cooperation were of great significance to consolidate bilateral and multilateral relations. The six member countries will take further steps to reinforce bilateral and multilateral exchanges and cooperation within the frame of SCO, based on principles of mutual respect, trust and benefit.

(Xinhua News Agency April 12, 2002)