The organization is facing some other important challenges, too, with the international community divided over sanctions on Iran and an ever-deteriorating situation in Afghanistan to control which the US and NATO are deploying more troops.

In such crises-ridden times, the SCO can develop into a powerful regional bloc only if it enhances political trust, strengthens security cooperation aimed at safeguarding regional stability, and makes serious efforts to resolve the Afghanistan issue. Such a line is consistent with the fundamental interests of the SCO and all its members, too.

Contrary to some Western media reports, China has been playing a positive role in Central Asia - and there is no doubt about that. The principles advocated by China and other members countries for bilateral and multilateral relations - such as all countries, big or small, are equal, one country should not interfere with the internal affairs of another, and member states should have mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity and promote security based on cooperation - have created a new regional cooperation model which yields mutually beneficial results.

China's leaders have always attached great importance to the SCO and put forward concrete suggestions at every summit, including the advocacy of the "Shanghai spirit" and a new security outlook, and the signing of the Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation.

China has contributed greatly in terms of security, economy, trade and culture for more than nine years to promote cooperation in the bloc.

In 2004, President Hu Jintao sanctioned $900 million in loans for SCO members. The figure reached $10 billion at the last summit, which was warmly welcomed by the Central Asian countries. Several large-scale transport and energy projects in neighboring countries are likely to become operational soon and consolidate multilateral cooperation because of China's assistance.

This shows that China, far from being the "selfish giant" that the West accuses it to be, has been the major driving force behind regional cooperation and development.

The author is a researcher at SCO Research Center, affiliated to the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.