The treaty, signed by leaders from China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan in August 2007, is designed to strengthen good neighborly relations and cooperation between SCO member states, a parliament statement said.

The treaty consolidates relations between SCO members and international organizations and helps create a positive environment for promoting a fair and reasonable world order, said the statement.

The SCO members are dedicated to joint efforts in fighting the three evil forces of terrorism, separatism and extremism, and in cracking down on drug trafficking, arms smuggling and illegal immigration, it added.

The SCO will enhance coordination in searching for and extraditing terrorist suspects, separatists and extremists, as well as ensuring border peace, and protecting financial and information security.

Meanwhile, the SCO members seek far-reaching cooperation in such fields as culture, art, education, science and technology, health, tourism, sports, said the statement.

China’s Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress approved the treaty on 26 June.

The SCO, founded in Shanghai in 2001, groups China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, with Pakistan, India, Iran and Mongolia as observers.