Chinese President Hu Jintao, who was participating in the SCO summit for the first time, told reporters afterwards that China has always attached great importance to the construction and development of the organization.

"China is willing to join together with other member countries to promote the procedure of progression of the SCO, so as to contribute to the maintenance of peace, development and prosperity in the region and the world in large," Hu said.

In June 2001, China, Russia and four central Asian countries, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, formed the SCO.

Since its foundation the SCO has actively pursued a policy of co-operation in respect of international affairs, a stance which was also reflected in the joint declaration.

"The recognition of the important role of the United Nations and the UN Security Council in solving major international problems is of fundamental importance," the declaration states.

The SCO leaders urged for reforms to the UN to meet with the rapidly changing world situation, foremost of which concerns the need for effective solutions to the problems concerning global security policies.

At its conclusion, the summit also endorsed several documents, including approvals of the functions of the SCO bodies as well as its official ensign.

The leaders of the six countries also confirmed the appointment of the SCO Executive Secretary. For the first three years the SCO Secretariat will be headed by a Chinese representative, China's current Ambassador to Russia Zhang Deguang.

In his speech delivered to the summit, Hu spoke highly of the headway that has been made by the SCO in its organization building and other areas.

As to its future role, Hu said the organizational construction should be speeded up and security co-operation should be deepened and broadened.

He particularly emphasized that regional, standing bodies should be put in place as soon as possible to promote co-operation in the fields of economics, security and outside contacts.

On the establishment of new international political and economic orders, Hu called upon the global community to develop a new security concept based on reciprocal trust, mutual benefit, equal rights and co-operation.

China, meanwhile, will continue to seek the resolution of regional and international issues through dialogue, adding that the principles of the UN Charter and other universally recognized norms of international law should be highly respected, Hu said.

The heads of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan also delivered speeches, in which they elaborated on their positions in respect of organization building, economic development and trade, anti-terrorism and anti-drug trafficking and other international issues.

Ahead of the summit, Hu met separately with Tajikistani President Emomali Rakhmonov and Uzbekistan President Islam Karimov. And earlier, on Wednesday, he held talks with Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev.

During the meetings Hu reaffirmed China's policy of developing friendly ties with these central Asian states, noting such long-term mutually beneficial co-operation is not only in the basic interests of the peoples of the region, but is also conducive to establishing world peace and stability.

Hu is scheduled to fly to St. Petersburg Friday to attend the celebrations to mark the city's 300th anniversary.

More than 40 world leaders and international organizations are expected to attend the ceremony.

During his stay in St. Petersburg, Hu, who is on his first overseas trip since becoming China's president, will meet several heads of state. It is reported that the name list includes Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien and Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.

(China Daily May 30, 2003)