Nurlan Yermekbayev, the Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) from Kazakhstan, extended a room tour of the secretariat, unveiling the symbolic spaces resonating with the core principles of the organization.
In a video clip released by China Media Group (CMG) on Friday, Yermekbayev introduced some calligraphy artwork displaying the essence of the "Shanghai Spirit" to the reporter.
"The 'Shanghai Spirit' stands as a fundamental principle of the SCO, emphasizing mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diverse civilizations and pursuit of common development," said Yermekbayev.
In the secretariat, the national halls of member countries exude distinctive characteristics, embodying the organization's ethos of openness and inclusivity. Meeting rooms are named after the capitals of member states, providing each country with its dedicated conference space.
The SCO Summit 2025, which will be held on Aug 31 and Sept 1, is expected to bring together leaders from over 20 countries and heads of 10 international organizations. This will be the fifth time that China has hosted the SCO Summit and the largest since the establishment of the organization.
SCO chief introduces secretariat's cultural halls, highlighting "Shanghai spirit"
The organizing committee of the Milano-Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games has unveiled the titles, creative visions, and first talents of the opening and closing ceremonies, as Thursday marked 50 days before the event officially gets underway.
Scheduled from March 6 to 15 across multiple Italian cities, the Games will bring together 665 athletes from 50 countries and regions to compete for 79 gold medals across six sporting disciplines.
The opening ceremony, titled "Life in Motion," will be staged at the historic Arena di Verona, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, presenting a tribute to change and transformation that seeks to redefine disability through a new harmony between people and the environment.
"I paid close attention to the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics, which I consider one of the three or four most beautiful in the history of Olympic ceremonies. This time at the ancient Arena di Verona, we will place greater emphasis on showcasing the human element," the ceremonies' artistic director Alfredo Accatino told a Chinese reporter at the event.
The closing ceremony, themed "Italian Souvenir," will be held on March 15 at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium, guiding athletes, volunteers, and fans through a journey that captures the emotions and memories of the Games after days of competition and achievement.
Craig Spence, the International Paralympic Committee's Chief Brand and Communications Officer, believes that Italy will deliver "the best Paralympic Games" following the benchmark set by the Beijing Winter Paralympics in 2022.
"I think what China did in Beijing has really set the benchmark for all future teams competing in the Paralympic Winter Games in terms of performance. That's why I think Milano-Cortina will be the best Paralympic Games we've ever seen for sports," he said.
Milano-Cortina Paralympics reveal opening, closing themes as Games draw near
