China's Xi says SCO bears greater peace role as two-day summit opens

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation security forum now bears "greater responsibility" for safeguarding regional peace and stability, as well as promoting the development and prosperity of its member states, Chinese President Xi Jinping told about 20 world leaders he hosted on Sunday evening.

The ongoing SCO Summit shoulders the important mission of building consensus among all parties and stimulating momentum in cooperation, Xi was cited as telling a welcome banquet, Chinese state news agency Xinhua reported.

The two-day summit is being held in the northern Chinese city of Tianjin.

Addressing the banquet, President Xi expressed confidence that with concerted efforts of all parties, the summit would be a complete success, and that the SCO was certain to play an even bigger role and achieve more progress, making a greater contribution to boosting the unity and cooperation among member states.

He expressed the hope that the SCO will, under the guidance of the Shanghai Spirit, set sail once again from Tianjin toward an even brighter future.

Founded in Shanghai in June 2001, the SCO has expanded from six founding members into a 26-nation family of 10 members, two observers and 14 dialogue partners spanning Asia, Europe and Africa.

The Tianjin summit is the largest-ever annual summit of the group. Member states are expected to adopt key documents, including the organisation's development strategy for the next decade.

President Xi is hosting the event for a second time.

The summit includes the 25th meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO as well as the "SCO Plus" meeting, both of which will be held on Monday.