China's top court called upon members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to exchange more judicial information to help safeguard regional security and improve legal services and jointly promote the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative.

During a speech at the opening ceremony of a two-day SCO judges forum, Zhou Qiang, president of the Supreme People's Court, called for more communication on judicial reform and the building of technology-friendly courts, case handling and trials among SCO member states.

The forum was held in Qingdao, Shandong province, with some judicial officials participating via video link.

Zhou lauded the great efforts of SCO members in fighting cross-border crime and trade disputes, as well as in anti-pandemic work, but said cooperation could be expanded and exchange also needed to be increased.

Also on Monday, a center for SCO judges to improve communications, hold seminars and organize training sessions was set up in Qingdao.

Li Ganjie, secretary of the Shandong Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China, said the forum was an opportunity to learn from the judicial experience of other countries, and added that the province will offer improved legal services for foreign litigants and make its own contribution to promoting the BRI through better legal cooperation.