During 2004 China pursued its efforts in fostering
good-neighborly friendship and cooperation between member states of
the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and pushing the
organization forward.? January 2004 saw the formal opening of
the SCO Secretariat in Beijing, where President Hu Jintao met the
foreign ministers of SCO member states and heads of SCO permanent
organs.
In June, President Hu Jintao delivered an important speech at the
SCO Summit in Uzbekistan, expressing China's willingness to
strengthen pragmatic cooperation with other SCO members and seek
common peaceful development. At the SCO prime ministerial meeting
held in Kyrgyzstan in September, there was a warm response to
Premier Wen Jiabao's proposal for deepening multilateral
cooperation so as to bring more tangible benefits to member states.
SCO plays an increasingly significant role in maintaining regional
security, advancing economic development, and strengthening
multilateral cooperation and is emerging as a major force in
regional affairs.
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