First SCO chief to leave office

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Source: CCTV.com | 12-29-2006 10:06

The first secretary-general of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization is to step down afterthree years in the job.

Zhang Deguang says the top task of the SCO is still the fight against terrorism, separatism, and extremism. Xu Linlin has the details.

Zhang's term ends on January 1. He'll be replaced by Bolat Nurgaliyev of Kazakhstan until 2009.

In the coming year, Zhang said the regular meeting of member countries' leaders will be held in Bishkek, the capital of Kirghizstan. And a joint anti-terror military exercise will be held in Russia.

Zhang Deguang, SCO secretary general, said, "All the details about the military exercise including paperwork and preparations, are under discussion."

Zhang was a senior Chinese foreign ministry official and also an ambassador to Russia. He was appointed the first secretary-general of the SCO in 2004.

Editor:Du Xiaodan