The seventh session of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Security Council's secretaries was held in Beijing on Thursday, opening discussions about regional security and security cooperation among the group's member states. The meeting was presided over by Chinese State Councilor Meng Jianzhu, who confirmed that the organization has made noteworthy accomplishments in recent years while also gaining increased international recognition. However, due to the uncertainties presented by the global financial crisis, political turmoil in North Africa and West Asia, and the ever-changing security situation in Afghanistan, the "three forces", separatists, terrorists and extremists, still pose a major threat to regional security. At the same time, the illegal drug trade, transnational organized crime as well as cyber crime have amplified damage to regional security. As a result of these challenges, the SCO is endeavoring to strengthen cooperation in various areas, while also setting up more effective prevention and striking mechanisms against the "three forces" in the region. Security Council secretaries and other representatives from Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan all made speeches during the meeting. The representatives discussed topics such as the regional security situation, how to deepen cross-border cooperation and the direction of the organization over the next several years. Several consensuses were reached, including in the areas of law ...