The 2026 Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Forum on People-to-People Exchange was held Sunday in Bishkek, capital of Kyrgyzstan, attracting more than 100 guests, including prominent figures from the political, economic, cultural and media sectors of SCO member states.
The event was jointly hosted by China Media Group and the National Television and Radio Broadcasting Corporation of Kyrgyzstan.
At the event, CMG, together with Kyrgyzstan's state broadcaster and Pakistan Television Corporation, unveiled the Action Plan for Further Deepening Media Cooperation Among Shanghai Cooperation Organization Countries (2026-2027).
A special documentary produced by CMG at the invitation of the SCO Secretariat, "United for the Future, the 25th Anniversary of the SCO", was officially launched. The same day also marked the conclusion of the "SCO: Youth in Action" short-video creation initiative.
At the event, filming officially began for Our Day, a feature film to be co-produced by Chinese, Kyrgyz and Uzbek film and television institutions under the guidance of China Film Administration, with the China Film Producers' Association as the lead producer.
CMG also introduced an exclusive "CMG Showcase SCO-Special" in partnership with China Southern Airlines, bringing SCO-themed programming to air travelers.
Additionally, CMG's CGTN and Renmin University of China released findings from a Global Public Opinion Survey on the Influence of the SCO.
A series of cooperation outcomes in the people-to-people and cultural fields between China and Kyrgyzstan were also unveiled at the event. On the occasion of the SCO Summit 2026 in Bishkek, the CGTN Russian channel will achieve full-channel nationwide broadcasting in Kyrgyzstan, and will pioneer a dual-channel approach through IPTV and new media over-the-top (OTT) platforms.
2026 SCO people-to-people exchange event held in Bishkek
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is a "unique organization" focused on connectivity, pragmatism and independence, according to the former prime minister of Kyrgyzstan Djoomart Otorbaev.
This year's SCO summit, which marks the 25th anniversary of the organization's founding, is taking place in the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek from Monday to Tuesday.
Themed "25 Years of the SCO: Together Towards Sustainable Peace, Development, and Prosperity", the summit has brought together leaders from more than 20 countries.
Speaking in an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN) on Sunday, Otorbaev said that SCO member states can look beyond differences in political systems and economic models and pursue win-win outcomes through dialogue, connectivity and pragmatism.
"It's a unique organization. Connectivity in SCO means that we are connected not only by railway, but in making dialogue with each other. Trade, investments, transport, energy, connectivity, moving very quickly. Without doubt, it’s China to Central Asian countries, we're doing very well. So, connectivity,” he said.
He also stressed that greater independence and self-reliance can help drive development and prosperity across the region.
"Number two is pragmatism. If you look to those 10 full members of the SCO, they are exploring different political systems, different economic models. But instead of arguing who is better, we are telling, let's get win-win, let's be pragmatic. If we will be pragmatic together, we will be delivering to our nations, to our people, better results. Then we have to look to the future - independence. We are not against anybody, but we say we will be stronger if we are independent from other models of economic and political development. In that respect, this is the key that we rely on our own strength. Only our own nations, our own people, will make us stronger and more prosperous." he said.
Connectivity, pragmatism, independence define SCO: Former Kyrgyz PM
