Terrorism will be a major focus of the SCO meeting. This weekend, leaders are expected to step up their efforts to address security challenges. Wu Guoxiu has more from Qingdao.

Since its establishment in 2001, security cooperation has been the basis and No.1 priority of the SCO.

LIAO JINRONG, DIRECTOR-GENERAL, INTL. COOPERATION DEPT., CHINESE MINISTRY OF PUBLIC SECURITY "For years, member countries have stopped hundreds of terror-related crimes, arrested many members of international terror organizations, rounded up large numbers of guns and explosives, and destroyed the training bases of many illegal armed forces. They have launched military drills and online anti-terrorism exercises. They also support each other on security during big events."

The organization first prioritized what it called the "three evil forces" – namely terrorism, separatism and extremism. It has met regularly to ensure these key dangers were being dealt with accordingly, while they have never over-stepped their boundaries, always ensuring they were well within their legal limits.

WU GUOXIU QINGDAO "However the SCO region is still facing complex security challenges like terrorism and drug trafficking, cross-border organized crime and cyber-crime. The leaders are expected to approve measures to address these concerns over the weekend."

Tourism is one sector which has a special interest in maintaining security standards of course, and the SCO has evolved over time to encourage more people to travel within the bloc. And China is seeing the benefits of their cooperation in this regard.

XUE YAPING, DIRECTOR INTL. COOPERATION DEPT., CHINESE CULTURE & TOURISM MINISTRY "The SCO member countries are close neighbors, and tourism is an important part of our economic cooperation. Last year, people from other SCO member countries made 3.6 million trips to China, an 11.7-percent increase year-on-year."

Russia, India and Kazakhstan were the top three SCO destinations of Chinese tourists in 2017.

This weekend, the member countries will also release details of a special two-year plan on tourism development within the bloc. Wu Guoxiu, CGTN, Qingdao.