FM calls for joint efforts to combat shared issues at SCO meeting

China is ready to join members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to achieve national development and rejuvenation, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang said on Friday.

When attending the SCO Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Goa, India, Qin said SCO countries should deepen security cooperation to safeguard regional peace through jointly fighting the "three evil forces" of terrorism, extremism and separatism, cracking down on drug trafficking and transnational organized crimes.

He also urged countries to support Afghanistan in forming an inclusive political structure and combating all forms of terrorism.

SCO members are expected to strengthen unity and trust, support each other's efforts in safeguarding sovereignty, security and development interests, he said, adding external interference and attempts to instigate "color revolution" should be opposed.

Inclusiveness and openness should be upheld to promote interconnected development, he said, calling for resisting practices that undermine international economic and trade order and market rules, and maintaining the stability of industrial and supply chains.

Noting China will host the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation this year, Qin said Beijing will use this opportunity to work with all parties to share opportunities and achieve development in the next decade.

He also said the process of Iran and Belarus joining the SCO should be completed in an orderly manner in order to expand the influence of the organization.

The other foreign ministers of SCO member countries agreed to advance cooperation in transportation, energy, finance, investment, free trade and the digital economy, promote regional connectivity and deepen people-to-people exchanges.