SCO establishes first standardization cooperation mechanism at Qingdao meeting

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) on Wednesday established its first standardization cooperation mechanism during a meeting in Qingdao City, east China's Shandong Province.

At the inaugural SCO Standardization Cooperation Meeting, the Qingdao Initiative on Strengthening Standardization Cooperation was adopted, creating an institutional framework to coordinate technical standards among the SCO member countries. The move also marks a significant step in facilitating closer economic integration among SCO member countries through aligned technical regulations.

"For the first time, we have promoted the establishment of technical standards cooperation task forces in key sectors, facilitating collaboration among member states on standards in key areas like artificial intelligence and the low-altitude economy. This will enhance alignment of standards among the member states, reduce technical trade barriers, promote the flow of goods and services, and improve regional trade facilitation. By developing standards in fields like green energy and the digital economy, we can boost trade in related industries and strengthen economic cooperation among member states," said Guo Chenguang, deputy director of the Department of Standards Innovative Management of the State Administration for Market Regulation.

The new mechanism is expected to streamline infrastructure standards in transportation and logistics, creating higher-level connectivity networks across the SCO region. Unified standards for transport equipment and logistics operations will significantly improve cross-border transportation efficiency.

"Through standardization cooperation, SCO member states will amplify their collective voice in international standard-setting. This will enhance the organization's influence in global economic governance and the development of international standard systems, while pushing for the establishment of a more equitable and rational international economic order," said Guo.

Held as part of the SCO's "China Year" events, Wednesday's meeting brought together over 40 delegates from Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and other member states.

SCO establishes first standardization cooperation mechanism at Qingdao meeting

The United States cannot legitimize an operation that attacked Venezuela and captured its president, a Chinese scholar said Sunday.

On Saturday, the United States launched a large-scale strike on Venezuela, during which Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife were 'captured and flown out of Venezuela' according to a post by U.S. President Donald Trump on his Truth Social account.

Teng Jianqun, director of the Center for Diplomatic Studies at Hunan Normal University, said in an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN) that the aim of this operation is to take full control of Venezuela’s natural resources.

"I don't think the United States can legitimize this operation to take custody of the president of Venezuela. And also I don't think the United States can legitimize its any action in taking the oil reserves of that country. This is actually a very dangerous game played by the Trump administration. And of course, the United States would like to take full control of that country and to take full control of the natural resources, especially the large reserve of oil in Venezuela," said Teng.

Teng said Venezuela is not an isolated case but a common practice by the United States. The United States launched an invasion of Panama on Dec. 20, 1989, which continued until January 1990, with the stated objective of capturing Panamanian strongman Manuel Noriega on charges of drug trafficking and organized crime.

"We still remember the so-called sentence of the former president of Panama in the late 1980s. And this time, the president of Venezuela will be under some judicial condition (judicial proceedings) for the so-called drug trafficking and some other crimes. So I think this is not a single case for the Venezuela country, but also this is actually a practice by the United States -- to use force, to use so-called justice under law against any leaders in Latin America and the Caribbean waters," he said.

US cannot legitimize operation against Venezuela: Chinese scholar