China is determined to make the next Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, to be held in Shanghai in 2006, a "fruitful" one with Chinese charateristics, said Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan.

In his inspection tour in Shanghai from Dec. 14 to 16, Tang said the year 2006 marks the fifth anniversary of the founding of the SCO, and also the tenth anniversary of the Shanghai Five mechanism, predecessor of the SCO. Member states have agreed to hold the meeting of SCO leaders in Shanghai next year.

"It is an important summit in the SCO development process and also an important diplomatic mission of China which draws broad attention from SCO member states and the international community," Tang said.

Tang said the Chinese government attaches great importance to the summit and requires relevant departments to make good preparation for it.

The SCO is an intergovernmental organization founded in Shanghai on June 15, 2001, by China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

The SCO originated and grew from the Shanghai Five mechanism, also known as the "Shanghai Five," which was founded in 1996 by China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan with the aim of strengthening confidence-building, carrying out disarmament in their border areas and promoting regional cooperation.

During his three-day tour, Tang also visited the site and facilities for the summit and held discussions with local scholars and experts on the international situation and the SCO.

Source: Xinhua