BEIJING, April 24 (Xinhua) -- A Tajik art and craft exhibition opened in Beijing on Monday to mark the 15th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Tajikistan and the fifth anniversary of the establishment of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

　　More than 300 pieces of Tajikistan folk artwork are on display, including Tajik national clothes, lithograph and sand paintings.

　　Addressing the opening ceremony of the exhibition, SCO Secretary-General Zhang Deguang said since the establishment of the SCO five years ago, its member states have not only conducted fruitful political dialogues and economic cooperation, but also enhanced exchanges in the fields of culture, education and art.

　　He said the sixth SCO summit to be held in Shanghai in June is a great event, and will further promote coordination between SCO member states.

　　Tajikistan ambassador to China Rashid Alimov said the interaction of culture plays an important role in deepening friendship, cooperation and mutual understanding among peoples of SCO member states.

　　The peoples of SCO member states not only share common goals aimed at ensuring regional peace and security, but also carefully treat their rich cultural heritage, which traces back to the age of the Great Silk Road, he said.

　　The SCO comprises China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. India, Iran, Pakistan and Mongolia are observers of the group. Enditem