The members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) on Thursday issued a declaration to seek new and non-confrontational international relations.

 

"The 'Shanghai Spirit' is of critical importance to the international community's pursuit of a new and non-confrontational model of international relations, a model that calls for discarding the Cold War mentality and transcending ideological differences," says the declaration, which was signed at the SCO summit Thursday.

 

The "Shanghai Spirit," which features mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for multi-civilizations and pursuit of common development, is the underlying philosophy and the most important code of conduct of the SCO.

 

Established in June 2001, the regional organization comprises China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

 

All presidents of the SCO members attended the summit meeting in Shanghai, celebrating the fifth anniversary of the SCO's founding.

 

"The SCO owes its smooth growth to its consistent adherence to the 'Shanghai Spirit'," the declaration says.

 

The "Shanghai Spirit" enriches the theory and practice of contemporary international relations and embodies the shared aspiration of the international community for realizing democracy in international relations, it says.

 

Citing the organization's endeavor over the past few years, the declaration says the SCO has laid a solid foundation for its steady and sustained growth and gained extensive international recognition.

 

The SCO will remain dedicated to the purposes and principles established at its founding and strengthened in the documents, declarations and statements adopted thereafter, the declaration says.

 

(Xinhua News Agency June 15, 2006)