Bloc looks to boost cross-border trade

A bloc of nations that includes China and five Eurasian countries pledged to boost cross-border trade yesterday and explore the shared use of each other's currencies.

At the 8th annual prime ministers' summit in Beijing, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states - China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan - broadly discussed enhancing economic ties.

Though the summit included representatives from observer nations Mongolia, Pakistan and Iran as well as guest country Afghanistan, Premier Wen Jiabao did not mention the ongoing wars in Afghanistan and Pakistan.