Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's Speech at the 12th Prime Ministers' Meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Member States

(Tashkent, Uzbekistan, November 29, 2013)

It gives me great pleasure to attendthe 12th Prime Ministers' Meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Member States in Tashkent, capital of Uzbekistan. I'd like to express my thanks to the government of Uzbekistan for its thoughtful arrangements for the meeting.

Since its establishment 12 years ago, SCO has been pursuing the Shanghai spirit of mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for the diversity of civilizations, and seeking for common development and has achieved important outcome in terms of cooperation in a diverse range of areas.

The world political and economic situation is undergoing complex changes. On one hand, we need to maintain our tradition and principles; on the other hand, we need to explore innovative means of cooperation, expand areas of cooperation and work together to tackle challenges. Countries should implement the consensus reached at the Bishkek Summit this September, create a secure, facilitating, mutuallybeneficial and green environment for development and accelerate the development of the region for the benefits of the people. Therefore, I'd like to propose sixpoints on deepening pragmatic cooperation within SCO.

First, to deepen security cooperation. It is the common interests and common responsibilities of member states to fight against terrorist activities. SCO should identify the fight against terrorist activities and drug trafficking as a priority area for cooperation among member states. The SCO's anti-terror organization should be given the anti-drug function so as to enhance SCO's comprehensive security-safeguarding capabilities.

Second, to speed up road connectivity.Considering that all the SCO member states are at the Silk Road Economic Belt, it was hoped that they could sign an inter-governmental agreement on the facilitation of international road transport at an earlier date and vigorously participate in the construction of the new Eurasian Continental Bridge and the Chongqing-Xinjiang-Europe international railway. In a bid to ensure smoother traffic flow from east to west, China is willing to provide support in technology, equipment and financing.

Third, to promote trade and investment facilitation.All member states should simplify procedures for customs clearance, inspection and quarantine, lower tariffs and eliminate trade barriers. We should enhance cooperation in producing and processing agricultural and livestock products. China is willing to provide member states with logistics and warehouse services at Lianyungang City, the east end of the Eurasian Continental Bridge.

Fourth, to strengthen financial cooperation. The role of the Interbank Consortium of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization should be better leveraged and efforts should be made to promote the establishment of an SCO development bank so as to provide financing support for the connectivity and industrial cooperation among SCO member states. Efforts should also be made to accelerate local-currency settlement among the member states. China is willing to establish a China-Eurasian economic cooperation fund, which will welcome the participation of Asian and European countries, including SCO member states, observer countries and dialogue partners.

Fifth, to promote cooperation in ecological protection and energy.All parties should jointly stipulate environmental protection cooperation strategies and establish an information-sharing platform. We should improve energy cooperation mechanism, deepen cooperation in energy production, transportation and processing and launching cooperation in new energy areas such as nuclear power.

Sixth, to expand cultural and people-to-people exchanges. We should respect cultural diversity and enhance mutual understanding among people of different countries in a bid to consolidate the public-opinion foundation. China is willing to increase the number of government scholarships for youth students from SCO member states. I hope that the cooperation in tourism can be strengthened.

Let me brief the meeting on China's economic situation. Via sticking to stabilization policies, innovating on economic macro-control methods, and simplifying administrative procedures and delegating power to lower levels, China has invigorated the market and encouraged private investment, which has contributed to the steady development of the Chinese economy despite the pressure of an economic downturn. China is now well on its way to accomplish this year's major economic and social development goals.

The Third Plenary Session of the 18th Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee has made important arrangements for comprehensively deepening reform, which will surely contribute to the healthy economic growth in the long run. China is willing to share opportunities generated by each other's development with SCO members for a beautiful tomorrow for SCO.