AKIPRESS.COM - President of Russia Vladimir Putin had a brief meeting in Tashkent with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to discuss enhancing bilateral ties and promoting the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)'s role in regional development and security, Chinese and Russian media reports say.

The meeting took place ahead of the 16th SCO Summit in Tashkent and Putin's visit to China on Saturday.

Xi said Putin's state visit to China bears special significance and said China is willing to join hands with Russia to carry forward their friendship from generation to generation, consolidate political and strategic mutual trust, and beef up support to each other.

"The SCO members should expand mutual support, deepen convergence of interest through win-win cooperation, and gradually resolve differences through dialogue and consultation," Xi said. The Chinese president also urged SCO member states to facilitate regional trade and investment and called for working out an anti-extremism convention as soon as possible, CCTV reports.

For his part, Putin extended his deep sympathy and heartfelt condolences over the serious casualties and losses caused by a tornado that hit China's Jiangsu province Thursday.

The Russian president said he is looking forward to the upcoming state visit to China and an in-depth exchange of views with Xi on boosting bilateral ties and cooperation.

The SCO has huge influence in safeguarding regional peace and stability as well as promoting regional economic integration, said Putin.

The Russian president agreed with Xi on synergizing the EEU and the Belt and Road Initiative within the SCO framework, adding that he hopes new members' entry into the SCO would help the organization play a bigger role in international affairs.

Pakistan and India are expected to sign a memorandum of obligation to join the SCO at the 16th summit slated for Thursday and Friday, which is a key step for the two countries to obtain membership of the organization.

SCO has six full members - China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, and six observers -- Afghanistan, Belarus, India, Iran, Mongolia and Pakistan.