BEIJING, Sept. 13 -- In the face of an unstable international and regional situation, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), a six-nation regional security group, wrapped up a two-day summit in Tajikistan's capital, Dushanbe, on Friday.
Increased terror threats have become the greatest common divisor among the SCO nations, providing the impetus for deepened cooperation to fight terrorism.
The organization's member states, which include China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, have long been troubled by the "three evil forces" of separatism, extremism and terrorism.
Separatist groups in northwest China's Xinjiang, such as the East Turkistan Islamic Movement, which has links with militants in Central Asia and Pakistan, have become rampant in recent years, waging increasingly violent attacks against civilians in and outside of the region.
The case is true with Russia, which has seen terrorist attacks by separatists from the province of Chechnya.
Several SCO nations border Afghanistan and Pakistan and face threats from radical Islamic insurgents. As America and its allies finish withdrawing their troops from Afghanistan, which could plunge back into turmoil, the country's Asian neighbors could face huge security risks as well.
To respond to the looming challenges, the SCO is committed to practical and efficient cooperation in maintaining regional security as one of its key functions.
This commitment is also based on the situation in Eurasia during the post-Cold War era, as countries seek a new mode of security cooperation.
Since its founding, the SCO has advocated a new security concept based on mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality and cooperation.
With a special permanent organ dedicated to anti-terrorism tasks, the SCO effectively coordinates resources among its members.
The SCO military drills have lifted the level of trust and agreement among its members.
Over the past decade, SCO members have staged more than 10 multinational joint drills. The latest anti-terror exercise held in late August in north China exceeded previous drills in scale and weaponry involved.
Military cooperation among SCO members has deepened, with armed forces of neighboring countries traveling to the interior of China to conduct the drill.
In addition, the SCO's anti-terrorism organ has also decided to crack down on drugs and cyber crimes in its cooperation.
All these measures will help fight terrorism and terrorists in an effective and proper manner.
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