Chinese premier calls for deepening SCO cooperation

Li noted that the SCO plays a vital role in safeguarding regional peace, stability, and fostering development. He referenced the Astana Summit in July, where Chinese President Xi Jinping and other SCO leaders agreed on building a common home based on solidarity, mutual trust, peace, prosperity, friendship, and justice.

To achieve this vision, Li stressed the importance of establishing a stronger political foundation, reliable security, closer economic ties, emotional bonds, and enhanced multilateral cooperation. He expressed China’s readiness to collaborate with other member states to turn this vision into reality.

Li proposed four key strategies to deepen SCO cooperation:

1) Strengthen strategic alignment by setting long-term development goals, fostering dialogue, and eliminating differences;

2) Expand practical cooperation in areas like poverty reduction, digital economy, and green development while enhancing trade, investment, and supply chain stability;

3) Address major security risks by combating threats like terrorism and establishing centers to deal with security challenges;

4) Lastly, expand cultural exchanges by promoting people-to-people programs and education initiatives to strengthen bonds between nations.

Shanghai Spirit

Meeting participants reaffirmed their commitment to the “Shanghai Spirit,” which emphasizes mutual respect and trust, friendship, and regional economic integration. They further highlighted the importance of implementing the outcomes of the Astana Summit and aligning efforts with initiatives like the Belt and Road and the Eurasian Economic Union.

The participants agreed to deepen cooperation in areas like trade, security, connectivity, energy, green development, and poverty reduction, while also fostering people-to-people exchanges and practicing multilateralism to promote peace and prosperity.

Additionally, at the meeting, Li and the SCO leaders signed a joint communique and approved resolutions related to SCO development. Attendees included the prime ministers and representatives of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India, Iran, Mongolia, and the guest nation Turkmenistan, with the meeting chaired by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.