Zhang Deguang, secretary-general of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), said on Friday in Beijing that the SCO hopes to maintain stability in Central Asia and that the promotion of democracy should be a step-by-step cause.

Central Asian countries witnessed remarkable achievements and progress in political, economic and social development, Zhang said. "They are not turning back but progressing though there are differences in their domestic situations."

The development of democracy in Central Asia should be based on people's fundamental needs instead of personal interests of some noted figures, Zhang said.

"The most vital threat in Central Asia is terrorism, extremism and separatism and the general ground is to maintain stability in the region," Zhang told a press conference in the Beijing-based SCO secretariat.

Zhang said the SCO summit, which will be held next week in Astana, capital of Kazakhstan, will focus on anti-terrorism cooperation between the member countries.

"We will strengthen anti-terror personnel training, step up exchanges of experience, improve the efficiency of anti-terror branches and enhance collection and analysis of information," Zhang said.

Chinese President Hu Jintao left Beijing on Thursday for a state visit to Russia and Kazakhstan, and will attend the SCO summit in Astana before presenting a G8 plus five summit in Britain.

The SCO, established in June 2001 to promote regional cooperation and fight terrorism, extremism and separatism, groups China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

Source: Xinhua