Secretary-General Nurlan Yermekbayev of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) has hailed Chinese President Xi Jinping's vision for the organization's future, as the SCO is scheduled to hold its 2025 summit in north China's Tianjin Municipality from August 31 to September 1.
In an exclusive interview with China Media Group (CMG) ahead of the major gathering, Yermekbayev recalled Xi's remarks made at a meeting with foreign ministers and heads of standing bodies of the SCO on July 15.
At the meeting, Xi stressed that the SCO must stay focused, remain confident, act efficiently and play a more proactive role in injecting greater stability and positive energy into the world in the face of a turbulent and changing international landscape.
Yermekbayev said Xi's remarks not only assessed the current global situation, analyzed geopolitical and economic dynamics, but also offered important insights into cooperation among SCO members and put forward a long-term strategic vision for the SCO's development.
"In his speech, President Xi put forward a series of highly valuable suggestions on how foreign ministers of SCO member countries should promote cooperation. He emphasized that the SCO should uphold the 'Shanghai Spirit.' His remarks reflected the chair country's view of the organization's current state and its future direction, which is very important," Yermekbayev said.
Xi is also known for quoting Chinese proverbs to illustrate principles of international cooperation. Yermekbayev highlighted two that left a deep impression on him.
"'When people are of one mind, they can move Mount Tai.' And 'No mountain or ocean can distance people who have shared aspirations,'" he said.
The first proverb signifies that when people band together, they can overcome any difficulties.
The second one was quoted by Xi in his speech at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Plus Meeting in Astana on July 4, 2024.
SCO secretary-general hails Xi's vision for organization's future development
