The establishment of the secretariat of the six-member Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) shows the regional group has entered a new phase marked by practical partnership, according to the body's secretary-general Zhang Deguang.

The secretariat, which inaugurates tomorrow, is expected to play a vital role in coordinating activities of the group, which is putting priority on seeking common security and pushing economic progress.

"We will make efforts to ensure that all activities of the organization could be conducted in a more efficient way in the future,'' said Zhang, who will hold the post for a three-year term.

The SCO, which includes China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, was formally established in June 2001, when Uzbekistan joined the existing "Shanghai Five'' which have been meeting annually since 1996.

The group has been devoted to building confidence along their border areas, reducing the number of border troops in the region and making joint efforts to fight against international terrorism, separatism and extremism in central Asia.

All of this partnership has been conducted according to the Shanghai Spirit, Zhang said, which is represented by mutual trust, benefits, equality and consultation.

In the economic and trade sector, prime ministers of these countries have mapped out a long-term plan, which targets pushing the free flow of commodities, goods, services and techniques in various areas within 20 years.

"From the economic perspectives, (the development of) the SCO conforms with the trend of economic globalization and integration,'' said Zhang, describing the prospects for the organization as "broad and wide." Explaining why the Mongolian Minister of External Relations Lavsangiyn Erdenechuluun will attend the ceremony, Zhang said the official, who is visiting China at that time, has shown willingness to participate in the event.

"Mongolia is an important country in the region and is a friendly neighbor of SCO members, and we hope it could take this as an opportunity to increase mutual understanding," said Zhang. He said that the SCO welcomes Mongolia's partnership with the group, both in security and economic fields.

The secretary-general, who is under the leadership of the organization, instead of any specific country, according to Zhang, who used to serve as the Chinese vice-foreign minister and ambassador to Russia, will head the secretariat.

(China Daily January 14, 2004)