On the morning of April 28, 2001, the second Shanghai Five Foreign Ministers’ Meeting was convened in Moscow. Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan and his counterparts in Kazakhstan,  Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan attended the Meeting. They reviewed two important documents to be submitted for official signing by the heads of states of the five countries in this year’s upcoming summit. They also compared notes about relevant preparations for this year’s Shanghai Five summit. The five foreign ministers had a full exchange of views and reached extensive consensus on the development and construction of the five countries and regional and international situations. The five foreign ministers also signed a joint communiqué and a press communiqué.

Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan delivered an important speech at the Meeting. He said that at the first year of the new century and the fifth anniversary of the founding of the Shanghai Five, the five top leaders will gather again in Shanghai, the rising place of the Shanghai Five, to make decisions and figure out strategic program for future development of Shanghai Five, which will promote historic growth of cooperation among the five countries. He noted that this year's Shanghai Five summit scheduled for June 15 will be a big event in the development course of the Shanghai Five and will help to build on its past achievements and exert significant influence on cooperation between its members as well as on regional and International situation.

Tang said that at present, with the fast development of political multi- polarization and economic globalization, there have been resounding outcry for democracy in international relations and the attempt to establish a unilateral-polar world is becoming increasingly unpopular and impossible. He meanwhile warned that hegemonism and Cold War mentality have not quitted the international stage with the onset of the new century. On the contrary, there have been signs of their resurgence, adding that we must remain vigilant and guard against this.

Tang said that after five years of growth, the Shanghai Five has become a bond to connect the friendship of the five peoples and to safeguard the strategic interests of the five countries. Serving as an important positive factor for advancing the peace, stability and development of the European-Asian Continent and the world, the Shanghai Five has received more and more attention and recognition from the international community. He added that it is necessary to expand our mutual relations and promote our cooperation level in face of the complex international and regional situation.

Tang also urged the five countries to increase their cooperation in safeguarding regional security, expand close coordination in global affairs and develop mutual-beneficial economic and trade cooperation.

Tang noted that the five countries have worked alongside one another in the past five years and have successfully promoted the unprecedented cause of Shanghai Five. Looking into the future, Tang said that he is confident that Shanghai Five will be an even greater success and will open a new chapter in the relations among one another and in the history of international relations.