The 24th meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State was held in the capital of Kazakhstan, Astana. This event is given great importance in all the Organization's member countries, particularly in Beijing. Below is an analysis by Chinese analyst Zhou Chenliang on the significance and achievements of the SCO at the present stage.
On July 21, 2024, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs gave an official comment on this occasion, expressing confidence that the summit would strengthen consensus among the parties, contribute positively to promoting security, stability, development, and the revival of all SCO countries, as well as to building a community with a shared future for mankind.
New Achievements
Since the beginning of the 21st century, the organization born on the banks of the Huangpu River has continuously developed and expanded—from the initial "Shanghai Five" to the current scale with nine member countries, three observers, and 14 dialogue partners. The level of mutual trust between its states and trade volume has consistently grown. Various mechanisms for ministerial meetings were formed, interaction at all levels was strengthened, and the mild Shanghai climate had a positive impact on the friendship between peoples and humanitarian exchanges.
The active work of the structure continues today. For instance, its member states recently developed a five-year plan to implement the Treaty on Long-Term Good-Neighborliness, Friendship, and Cooperation, achieved the signing of the SCO Convention on Combating Extremism, continue to strengthen ties and coordination with the UN, CICA, and other international platforms and multilateral mechanisms, and energetically and openly speak on current issues such as the Palestinian-Israeli and Syrian conflicts. In addition, they continue to promote one of the organization's central concepts—the "Shanghai Spirit," characterized by mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, striving to resolve issues through consultation, respect for the diversity of civilizations, and movement towards joint development, making a positive contribution to ensuring peace and tranquility in the region and the entire planet.
"Cooperation within the SCO, which initially was limited only to the security sphere, now encompasses aspects such as political mutual trust, economic development, humanitarian exchanges, and has formed into a unified system whose parts complement and support each other," said former Secretary-General of the organization Bolat Nurgaliev. "And China, under the leadership of President Xi Jinping, has played a very important guiding role in this process, which has been highly appreciated by the leaders of all countries."
From the proposal of Chinese concepts in the fields of global development, security, cooperation, civilization, and governance to the idea of building a "community of common health," President Xi Jinping has always advocated that under the banner of the "Shanghai Spirit," the SCO should steadily advance in the structure of humanity's overall progress.
Emphasis on Pragmatic Cooperation
At the 21st meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State in 2021, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed to consistently promote the liberalization and simplification of trade and investment procedures, ensure the safe and orderly movement of people, goods, liquidity, and data, and create growth points for the digital economy, green energy, and modern agriculture.
"Achieving overall economic development is an important direction for expanding SCO cooperation," said Gulnar Shaymergenova, Director of the China Studies Center in Kazakhstan. "The organization's commitment to creating a safe environment for development and interconnected infrastructure, as well as developing common standards and rules, will undoubtedly give new momentum to regional economic cooperation."
During the summit in Qingdao in June 2018, China proposed the construction of the Demonstration Zone for Regional Trade and Economic Cooperation between China and the SCO in the coastal city. Over the past six years, this platform has rapidly developed. Zhang Xinzhu, Secretary of its working party committee, speaks of its gradual transformation into a center synthesizing cultural elements, economic and trade resources, as well as an important venue for holding major SCO events with strong international influence.
Platform for Cultural Inclusivity and Dialogue of Civilizations
The foundation of SCO development is cultural communication and knowledge exchange, its strength lies in the spiritual unity of people.
On June 20 in Astana, the "Dialogue of Civilizations of SCO Countries - 2024" was held. The event was attended by more than 130 delegates from the organization's eight member states. Guests held in-depth discussions on the theme "Creating a Bridge of Dialogue and Cooperation between SCO Civilizations and Promoting the Development and Progress of Human Civilization." Sohail Khan, Deputy Secretary-General of the organization, noted its steadfast commitment to "promoting mutual understanding among the peoples of all countries, developing, and enriching cultural and civilizational content."
Yu Yunquan, Deputy Chief of the Office of the People's Republic of China for Press and Publication in Foreign Languages, called the SCO "an important constructive force in international and regional affairs," which, based on the principles of integration, unity, and cooperation, strives for stability, development, improving people's welfare, protecting morality and justice, and conducts important theoretical and practical research for the modernization of its countries and the creation of a community with a shared future for humanity. According to the official, this direction deserves the closest attention from the international community.
On the vast Eurasian continent, exchanges between countries have a long history—we have similar development goals, and our destinies are closely linked. The SCO summit will undoubtedly add more positive energy and new impetus to maintaining peace and prosperity in the region and around the world.
Source: Kutbilim.kg
CentralasianLIGHT.org
July 3, 2024