By Hou Jun, Ph.D Candidate, majors in International Relations, China Foreign Affairs University

On June 23, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) opened its 16th meeting of a two-day Council of Heads of state in Tashkent, Uzbekistan , which coincided with celebration of its 15th anniversary. The SCO continues to mature, while demonstrating outstanding achievements of China's diplomacy.

The SCO is a business card with Chinese characteristics, which is the only organization named after a Chinese city with its headquarters there and  Chinese diplomacy rising in influence. 

As the founder, Beijing remains committed to promoting SCO development in the Shanghai spirit - mutual trust, mutual benefits, equality, consultation, respect for diverse civilizations and pursuit of shared development as the consensus for member states.The SCO is different from other security cooperation mechanisms, establishing a new regional security organization model in line with characteristics of the times.  The SCO offers strong Chinese characteristics. 

Adhering to the spirit of openness tolerance and cooperation, the SCO has developed from its initial Shanghai Five member mechanism to 18 countries today - six member states, six observer countries and six dialogue partner countries, which account for 40 percent of the global population. 

At the Tashkent summit, India and Pakistan are expected  to sign a memorandum of obligation to join the SCO, which is a key step for them to obtain membership of the organization. The SCO was initially committed to combating three evil forces of terrorism, separatism and extremism. With 15 years of development, the SCO shows the world how common prosperity and development can boost regional security among member states. 

The summit is to explore the establishment of a free trade area, SCO Development Bank, and promote China’s One Belt, One Road initiative and its docking with the Eurasian Economic Union to promote common development of the Eurasian region. 

The Tashkent summit aims to seek a long-term planning mechanism for cooperation at a higher level. Participating member states are expected to approve the "SCO Development Strategy 2025." 

They are also to adopt The Tashkent Declaration of the 15th Anniversary of SCO, which would fully endorse how the SCO supports the vital interests of member states concerns, demonstrating the significance of the Tashkent summit where the Shanghai Spirit continues to flourish.