China is calling on Shanghai Cooperation Organization's member countries to set up a hotline among their centers for disease control, and China is ready to consider in a proactive approach the needs of SCO countries for COVID-19 vaccines, President Xi Jinping said.

Xi made the remark when addressing the 20th Meeting of the Council of Heads of Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization via video on Tuesday.

It is necessary to strengthen joint forces among countries in prevention and controls, support each other's fight against the epidemic, and further promote exchanges and cooperation in such areas as epidemic surveillance, scientific research, disease prevention and treatment, Xi said.