BEIJING, June 25 (Xinhua) -- China will ratify a multilateral treaty for
the members of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) to maintain peaceful and
friendly border regions.
The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC),the
country's top legislature, on Tuesday started to review a motion by the State
Council, China's Cabinet, to approve the treaty. It was hearing an explanation
given by Foreign Affairs Vice Minister Wu Dawei commissioned by the government.
The SCO, established in June 2001, groups China, Russia, Kazakhstan,
Kirghizia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Presidents of the six countries co-signed
the treaty last August.
Wu said the SCO had played an important role in maintaining regional
stability and enhancing political, economic and cultural ties with each other.
According to Wu, other members of the SCO were also reviewing to ratify the
treaty.
The 26-itemed treaty pledges to intensify cooperation in maintaining
regional peace and stability and prohibit members from undertaking activities in
their own territory that would jeopardize other's interests.
The NPC Foreign Affairs Committee supported the approval saying the treaty
would help China secure long-term peace in the country's northwest border
areas.