China will make joint efforts to step up closer economic and trade cooperation with other members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan said in Beijing on Thursday.

"It was the first time for the SCO to invite not only member states, but also observer countries and other guest states to attend meetings," Wang Said.

Wang made the remarks at his meeting with heads of delegations who attended the 7th session of the Economic and Trade Ministers' Meeting of SCO.

As to improve regional economic and trade cooperation, Wang called on to "further implement trade and investment facilitation, forge cooperative network and encourage exchanges between companies of the member states. "

"The SCO has made positive achievements in its efforts to safeguard regional stability and promote regional development, since it was founded in 2001, " he said.

The two-day session of the Economic and Trade Ministers' Meeting concluded on Thursday, and the meeting mechanism of SCO member states' Economic and Trade Ministers was considered as an important platform to promote economic cooperation among SCO member states.

(Xinhua News Agency September 26, 2008)