Xi urges SCO cooperation

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday called on member countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) to tap the potential of cooperation as he met with the leaders of the countries. The meeting with prime ministers of Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, and first deputy prime minister of Uzbekistan, in Wuzhen of east China's Zhejiang Province followed the annual SCO prime minsters' meeting in central China's Zhengzhou city on Tuesday. Hailing the SCO's role in safeguarding regional security and promoting common development, Xi stressed the need for cooperation "amid the current complex international situation and profound world economic adjustment." He called on the SCO countries to align regional trade and infrastructure initiatives including the Silk Road Economic Belt and the Eurasian Economic Union. "SCO members should not only consolidate cooperation in traditional areas such as energy, transportation, agriculture and infrastructure, but also explore new prospects in e-commerce and new technology," said Xi. The president called on them to encourage partnerships between small enterprises. "China stands ready to make joint efforts with all sides to build a better SCO family so as to contribute more to regional security, stability and prosperity," Xi said. The other leaders broadly agreed with Xi.