BEIJING, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- As part of China's efforts to advance international security cooperation and strengthen military relations with other countries, the country pursues regional security cooperation.

    Since its founding five years ago, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization has steadily deepened and expanded cooperation in security, economic and cultural areas in practical terms, says the white paper "China's National Defense in 2006" issued here Friday by the Information Office of the State Council.

    A decision-making mechanism has taken shape, with the Council of Heads of State and the Council of Heads of Government being its core and two permanent bodies, namely, the Secretariat and the Regional Anti-terrorism Structure, have also been established, says the white paper.

    China attaches great importance to the Regional Forum of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the paper says.

    China's cooperation in the non-traditional security areas with the ASEAN and within the framework of the ASEAN and China, Japan and the Republic of Korea has achieved significant progress, it says.