China will ratify a multilateral treaty for the members of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) to maintain peaceful and friendly border regions.

The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), the country's top legislature, on Tuesday started to review a motion by the State Council, China's Cabinet, to approve the treaty. It was hearing an explanation given by Foreign Affairs Vice Minister Wu Dawei commissioned by the government.

The SCO, established in June 2001, groups China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kirghizia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Presidents of the six countries co-signed the treaty last August.

Wu said the SCO had played an important role in maintaining regional stability and enhancing political, economic and cultural ties with each other.

According to Wu, other members of the SCO were also reviewing to ratify the treaty.

The 26-itemed treaty pledges to intensify cooperation in maintaining regional peace and stability and prohibit members from undertaking activities in their own territory that would jeopardize other's interests.

The NPC Foreign Affairs Committee supported the approval saying the treaty would help China secure long-term peace in the country's northwest border areas.

(China Daily June 25, 2008)