Chinese President Hu Jintao says China will continue to play an active role in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

He made the pledge in a key-note speech delivered in Moscow, where leaders of SCO member countries convened their third meeting.

Hu Jintao urged SCO member countries to steadfastly adhere to and safeguard the "Shanghai spirit" of mutual trust and benefit, equality, consultation, respect for different civilizations, and common prosperity.

He notes that the priority for the SCO is to speed up its organizational and institutional construction, and broaden cooperation on security and economic matters.

The SCO is expected to approve the appointment of Chinese Ambassador to Russia, Zhang Deguang, as the first SCO Secretary-General.

The presidents will also approve the SCO emblem and flag as well as nine legal documents.

The regional organization groups six countries, including China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.