DUSHANBE, May 15 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie said here Thursday that the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) has played a vital role in safeguarding regional security and stability as well as promoting common development and prosperity of its member states.

　　At a meeting of SCO defense ministers, Liang, also Chinese state councilor, said since its founding in 2001, the SCO has developed strongly and has grown into one of the most dynamic and influential regional organizations in the European-Asian region.

　　Liang said that in recent years, Central Asian countries have maintained political stability, achieved smooth economic development and their tendency toward common development has also been reinforced.

　　However, the "three evil forces," namely, extremism, terrorism and separatism as well as drug trafficking and cross-border organized crimes posed a grave threat to regional security.

　　Liang added that China will unswervingly push for the building of a harmonious world with lasting peace and common development.

　　According to a joint communique issued at the end of the meeting, a cooperation pact of the defense ministries of SCO member states was signed during the meeting.

　　At the invitation of his Tajiki counterpart Sherali Khairulloev, Liang arrived here Tuesday to attend the defense ministers' meeting of the SCO, which comprises six member countries -- China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.