China ratifies protocol amending SCO charter

China's top legislature on Friday adopted a protocol amending the charter of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

The protocol had been deliberated at the 25th session of the 10th Standing Committee of the National People's Congress from Dec. 24 to 29.

The protocol, signed by President Hu Jintao in Shanghai in June, will redefine the functions of the SCO secretariat to include provision of coordination, information analysis and organization of SCO activities, suggestions for cooperation within and outside the organization and supervision of resolution implementation.

The secretariat began operating in January 2004 under the leadership of a "director", a post which was changed to "secretary-general" in the protocol.

The protocol would help the SCO play a more active role in maintaining regional security and stability, and promoting common development among the SCO member countries, said Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing.

Established in 2001, the SCO is committed to fighting terrorism, separatism and extremism and maintaining regional peace, security and stability.

Its six member countries are China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, and observer countries are Mongolia, Pakistan and India.

Source: Xinhua