Political leaders and scholars from Asia and Europe are looking forward to the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, set to take place in the northern Chinese port city of Tianjin from Aug 31 to Sept 1.
The gathering, expected to be the largest in the organization's history, is seen as a pivotal moment for the SCO, with hopes that it will usher in a new phase of high-quality development marked by stronger unity, deeper cooperation, and increased vitality.
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Political leaders, scholars look forward to SCO summit in Tianjin
Political leaders, scholars look forward to SCO summit in Tianjin
Political leaders, scholars look forward to SCO summit in Tianjin
Political leaders, scholars look forward to SCO summit in Tianjin
Ahead of the summit, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko expressed enthusiasm about his country being a part of the SCO family.
"It is very important for us to be, as you said, in this family. More than 20 heads of state will be present at the SCO Summit. I will tell you, being leading states in the world and to be in this family is not just honorable. This is, of course, nice. It inspires many people, including Belarusians, that their president is in this respectable family. Let's speak frankly, this largely determines today's development," said Lukashenko
"We are very pleased that now China will be hosting it (SCO summit), and Prime Minister of Pakistan Mr. Shehbaz Sharif will attend this summit. Our region has seen a lot of uncertainty in the past, so I think it is important that the leadership in SCO summit must ponder how we can deescalate conflicts,” said Ahsan Iqbal, Pakistan's Minister of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives.
Other political leaders highlighted the bloc's growing influence in the world.
"The SCO has now grown into a body that plays a significant role on the international stage. It is respected both regionally and globally," said Emomali Rahmon, the President of Tajikistan.
"The summit will focus on shared concerns and shaping a common future. In Beijing, it will again inspire the fight against injustice, promote the message of peace in the world, and maintain unity among all countries," said Narayan Prasad Dahal, Speaker of Nepal's National Assembly.
"How all countries get along with one another in this era? First, we should adhere to dialogue based on mutual respect. Second, we should uphold the principle of good neighborliness and mutually beneficial development. It is these principles that bring SCO members together. The SCO summit in Tianjin held at the end of August carries great strategic significance," said Sergey Sanakoev, president of the Asia-Pacific Region Research Center in Russia.
International observers praised China’s dedication to the organization's development as the SCO rotating chair, and hoped that it will work with other SCO members in the Tianjin summit to contribute to global development.
"The SCO is becoming an important platform to build consensus, resolve difficulties in governance, and implement coordinated policies to safeguard stability, security and development in the Eurasian region. The SCO summit will become a stabilizer for the regional situation. The concept of building a community with a shared future for humanity proposed by President Xi Jinping values humans as a community with a shared future and a civilization. It carries remarkable significance, showing great values in creativity and political insight. The concept should be heard by the world. China is shouldering its historical responsibilities with the demeanor of a major country," said Bakhtier Ergashev, director of the Center for Research Initiatives "Ma'no" in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
"Well, I truly hope that the Tianjin summit will exemplify the true spirit of multilateralism. As a major power, China has shown its leadership and responsibility in global affairs. Along with other major powers, I believe China can foster cooperation to maintain regional and global peace," said Klaus Heinrich Raditio, a scholar from the Driyarkara School of Philosophy in Jakarta, Indonesia.
"The SCO continues to gain vitality as more and more extensive issues are included onto its agenda, which is of vital significance to the multilateral cooperation mechanism. China promoted cooperation among all countries when serving as the rotating chair. Kyrgyzstan will take over the rotating chair and continue to promote the implementation of all topics," said Ayaz Baetov, Kyrgyz minister of justice.
Founded in 2001, the SCO currently comprises 10 member states, along with two observer states and 14 dialogue partners.
Political leaders, scholars look forward to SCO summit in Tianjin
Political leaders, scholars look forward to SCO summit in Tianjin
Political leaders, scholars look forward to SCO summit in Tianjin
Political leaders, scholars look forward to SCO summit in Tianjin
