Xi hails groundbreaking, historic achievements in SCO development, cooperation

TIANJIN, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- The member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) have brought about groundbreaking and historic achievements in the organization's development and cooperation, said Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Xi made the remarks on Monday while addressing the 25th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO in north China's Tianjin Municipality.

"We were the first to set up a military confidence-building mechanism in our border areas, turning our extensive borders into a bond of friendship, mutual trust and cooperation," Xi said, as he listed a series of "firsts" accomplished by the SCO member states.

They were the first to take multilateral actions against the three forces of terrorism, separatism and extremism, and were the first to launch Belt and Road cooperation, Xi said.

"We were the first to conclude a treaty on long-term good-neighborliness, friendship and cooperation, proclaiming our commitment to forge lasting friendship and refrain from hostilities," he continued.

The member states were also the first to put forth the vision of global governance featuring extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit as an effort to practice true multilateralism, Xi added.