Common responsibilities for regional peace and stability

Editor's Note: The following is an excerpt from the speech by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang at the 13th Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Astana on Dec 15, 2014.

Since last year's heads of government meeting in Tashkent, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states have, acting in the Shanghai Spirit, scored new achievements in their cooperation in various fields. At the Dushanbe Summit last September, Chinese President Xi Jinping and the leaders of the other SCO member states put forward a number of significant initiatives to advance their practical cooperation. Currently, the international situation is complicated, development of various economies is becoming differentiated and certain regional turbulences have intensified. Given this backdrop, we need to further strengthen cooperation in the security and economic fields as well as in cultural and people-to-people exchanges so that we can seize opportunities and rise up to challenges.

First, we need to forge a strong shield for regional security and stability. The international political and economic situation is undergoing complex changes. China remains committed to the path of peaceful development, and it will be firm in its efforts to safeguard regional peace, stability and development. China will work to increase synergy and collaboration with other countries to jointly promote world prosperity and stability. Security cooperation mechanisms need to be improved to oppose terrorism in all its manifestations. It is important that countries give support to the government of Afghanistan in its efforts to achieve early national reconciliation and economic reconstruction, as this is conducive to regional stability and serves the common interests of all countries.