Hu asks SCO members to tackle security challenges

BEIJING - President Hu Jintao said that members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) should further consolidate to safeguard regional peace and stability.

Multiple factors, such as regional hotspot issues, the repercussions of the global financial crisis, the "three evil forces" of terrorism, separatism and extremism, drug trafficking and transborder organized crime have posed threat to regional security and prosperity, Hu said.

Hu made the remarks in a written interview with media organizations from SCO member states prior to the 12th Meeting of the Council of Heads of Member States of the SCO scheduled to be held in Beijing on Wednesday and Thursday.

In order to tackle security challenges, SCO members will continue to comprehensively enhance their capability to guard against threats and risks, Hu said.

"We will continue to manage regional affairs by ourselves, be on guard against external turbulence and play a bigger role in Afghanistan's peaceful reconstruction," he said.

SCO members will set up a refined system for security cooperation while boosting their ability to prevent and manage crises, Hu said.

"We will intensify communication and coordination on key global and regional issues to safeguard common security and the development interests of member states," said Hu.

The SCO, which includes China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, will have its 12th summit in Beijing on Wednesday and Thursday.

Hu said SCO regulations regarding political and diplomatic responses to events that could jeopardize peace and stability will be perfected at the summit, while a cooperative program on fighting terrorism, separatism and extremism for the 2013-2015 period will be ratified.

"I believe these new measures will help the SCO to better safeguard regional peace, security and stability," Hu said.