BEIJING, Aug 26 (Reuters) - A summit of China, Russia and Central Asian states may discuss a shared stance on Moscow's dispute with Georgia, a Chinese government spokesman said on Tuesday. The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SC0) summit in Tajikistan's capital, Dushanbe, on August 28 will focus on "consolidating mutual trust between member states and enhancing unity," the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said. But Qin said the six member states could also discuss a shared stance on the South Ossetia dispute, which has pitted Moscow against Georgia and its Western partners. "During the summit, the various countries' leaders can within the framework of the agenda enunciate their shared positions on issues of interest to them, including South Ossetia as no exception," Qin told a regular news conference. He did not say whether the meeting, which is scheduled to include Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Chinese President Hu Jintao, would issue a statement on South Ossetia. Such a move would underscore a divide between Georgia and its Western partners and Russia and its neighbour China. Up to now Beijing has avoided strong comment on the dispute, but is eager to strengthen ties with Moscow. Georgia and Russia fought a brief war over South Ossetia earlier this month after Tbilisi sent in troops to try to retake the disputed province by force. Russia struck back with a massive counter-attack. Qin said Beijing still hoped Russia and Geogia "can find an appropriate solution through dialogue". The SCO brings together China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. India, Pakistan, Iran and Mongolia attend as observers. Critics have said the SCO is emerging as a rival to Western-led security organisations, especially NATO. But the group has conducted only a few joint war games, and Moscow remains wary of China expanding influence into the traditional Russian domain of Central Asia. (Reporting by Chris Buckley; Editing by Bill Tarrant) (chris.buckley@reuters.com; +86-13501014479)
A Georgian soldier inspects the helmet of a Russian peacekeeper soldier left in the Senaki Military Base, a Georgian military base which was occupied by Russian forces and evacuated last Saturday, ...
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