"The SCO will hold not only a summit in Shanghai in mid-June, but also a meeting for defense ministers and a meeting for foreign ministers later this month and in mid-May respectively," said spokesman Qin Gang.

Dubbed a new model for regional cooperation, the SCO was founded in Shanghai on June 15, 2001, aiming to promote regional security and fight terrorism.

The permanent members of the SCO are China, Russia, Kazakhstan,Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Its four observer states are Mongolia, Pakistan, India and Iran.

"China expects that a string of activities will help step up the dialogue, consultation and cooperation between SCO member states and help promote the regional peace, stability and security," Qin said.

Since its founding, the SCO has built up a good image of peace,cooperation, openness and progress in the international community,the spokesman said."China looks forward to the continued progress of the SCO."

China believes that the military cooperation within the SCO framework will help maintain regional peace and stability, Qin said. Enditem