Wen made the remark at the eighth prime ministers’ meeting of the SCO, which groups China, Russia, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. Mongolia, India, Iran and Pakistan are observers to the regional organization.

In his speech at the meeting, Wen spoke highly about the positive results the SCO members achieved in their joint response to the international financial crisis. Wen pointed out the world is currently undergoing enormous development, changes and readjustment. The international financial crisis, the "three forces" of separatism, terrorism and extremism, drugs and cross-border crimes were threatening peace, stability and development of the region, Wen said.

He said in face of these challenges, countries in the region had shown greater impetus to deepen cooperation and unite for self development.

"The Shanghai Cooperation Organization should play an even bigger role in enhancing solidarity and mutual support of its member states and advancing regional cooperation," Wen said.

Wen emphasized that China will adhere to the policy of treating its neighbors as partners. China will stick to the open-up strategy based on mutual benefit and win-win and continue to contribute to regional development through its own growth.

Wen said China attaches high priority to the development of the SCO and regards other member states as good neighbors, good friends and good partners.

The eighth SCO prime ministers’ meeting was held in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing Wednesday. Prime ministers from the six SCO member states and representatives from the observers states attended the meeting. Representatives from Afghanistan also attended as guests of the host country, China.

The meeting reviewed the progress SCO had made in economic and cultural cooperation over the past year. The leaders exchanged views on implementing the treaty of long-term, good-neighborly friendship and cooperation of the SCO member states and the Yekaterinburg summit consensus. They also exchanged views on deepening practical cooperation in various areas and jointly addressing the international financial crisis.

Wen said the leaders of SCO member states had reached broad consensus at the meeting, which he called a total success.