The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) has always been an open organization that is not exclusive and targets no third party, Chinese President Hu Jintao said on Tuesday.

Following the principle of openness and nonalignment, the SCO has advocated a new security concept featuring mutual trust and benefit, equality and cooperation, and adhered to the "Shanghai Spirit," said Hu.

The "Shanghai Spirit" embodies mutual trust and benefit, equality, respect for cultural diversity and a desire for common development, Hu told journalists from the six SCO member states.

The organization, established in 2001, comprises China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Since 2004, it has accepted Mongolia, Iran, Pakistan and India as observers.

A summit meeting of the heads of the six SCO member states will be held on June 15 in Shanghai. Observers as well as representatives from the countries and international organizations that have established cooperative relations with the SCO will attend.

Hu said the SCO had official ties with the United Nations, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Eurasian Economic Community.

"A growing number of countries have expressed the desire to establish ties with the organization," he said.

"Experience has shown that the SCO is an important force in safeguarding regional and world peace and stability, enhancing democratization of international relations and promoting regional and world harmony," said Hu.

"The SCO will continue to take a constructive attitude to seek consensus among the members and work with related countries to maintain regional peace and stability and promote the common development and prosperity of all countries in the region," said Hu.

Source: Xinhua