Top military chiefs from the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) gathered in Beijing for their annual meeting on regional security issues. Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with the top generals.

President Xi said China is willing to work together to promote pragmatic cooperation, and hopes the SCO will play a greater role in promoting common development.

“I’ve been informed that the meeting among the general staff chiefs has been going on very well, reaching consensus on a number of key issues, through bilateral and multilateral exchanges. I want to convey my congratulations for the positive outcome.” -President Xi

The military chiefs also agreed to jointly combat separatism, extremism and terrorism. Participants agreed the SCO members should do more to help Afghanistan maintain peace and stability.

Alongside the meeting, soldiers are staging the final phase of a multinational anti-terrorism drill in Inner Mongolia.

For more insight on the Shanghai Cooperation Organizaiton, Zhang Junshe joined CCTV America from Beijing. He’s Vice-President of China’s Naval Research Institute.