TASHKENT (Sputnik) — The SCO is a political, economic and military alliance that includes Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The SCO leaders are expected to sign an accession memorandum with Pakistan and India at the upcoming summit. Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran and Mongolia have observer status in the organization.
"With significantly extended opportunities for cooperation, the SCO's role and influence are increasingly growing," Xi was quoted as saying by the Uzbekistan National News Agency.
Xi added that the SCO has stretched across the Asian continent since being established in 1996 and has in this time embraced a large array of issues, including regional security, economics, trade and humanitarian cooperation.