Chinese President Xi Jinping put forward multiple proposals for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) to shoulder its historical responsibility, steer the course for the future, achieve higher-quality development and make greater contributions to the building of a community with a shared future for humanity during his trip to Bishkek, capital of Kyrgyzstan.
Xi attended the SCO Summit 2026 in the city and paid a state visit to the country from Sunday to Tuesday.
On Tuesday morning, Xi attended the 26th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO and delivered a speech titled "Toward Higher-Quality Development of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization."
Xi raised a four-point proposal in the speech, calling for staying committed to putting development first and opening up the prospects for shared prosperity; staying committed to taking security as a key goal and fostering an environment of common security; staying committed to a people-centered approach and cementing the foundation for everlasting friendship; and staying committed to dialogue and consultation and striving for more equitable and orderly governance.
Leaders of the SCO member states also signed and issued the Bishkek Declaration marking the organization's 25th anniversary.
On Tuesday afternoon, Xi attended the SCO Plus meeting and delivered a speech titled "Jointly Advocating an Equal and Orderly Multipolar World and Making Global Governance More Just and Equitable."
Xi made three proposals in the speech, calling for advancing common prosperity in the vast continent straddling Asia and Europe with the SCO Strength, promoting the development and rise of the Global South through the SCO Wisdom, and guiding the reform and improvement of global governance through the SCO Action. On the sidelines of the SCO Summit, Xi met with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and Mongolian President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh on Monday.
Xi wrapped up his attendance at the SCO Summit and state visit to Kyrgyzstan on Tuesday afternoon, with Kyrgyz Prime Minister Adylbek Kasymaliev seeing him off at the airport.
Xi puts forward proposals for SCO's higher-quality development in Bishkek
Local merchants in Gyirong County of Xigaze City, in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, have been providing free relief supplies and essential aid to rescue teams and frontline workers following a catastrophic mudslide.
The deadly mudslide triggered by a glacial collapse on the Nepalese side struck the remote China-Nepal border region on Aug 26 morning.
Zeng Yong, owner of a building materials store in the county, kept his business open around the clock and provided complimentary lodging for rescue and restoration workers in the aftermath of the disaster.
"I didn't think about anything else at all. I just knew that building materials were definitely needed in disaster relief. We provided whatever we had and stayed open all day long," said Zeng.
On the night of the disaster, Zeng and his family and store employees rushed to assemble 16 makeshift beds and urgently purchased bedding supplies. After six to seven hours of intensive effort, they transformed the second-floor office area into a functional rest area for frontline workers.
"On the front line, I was mainly tying steel cages and had been working continuously for two days and one night. The tents at the frontline are all full," said Zhang Xuhui, a worker of China Railway Guangzhou Engineering Bureau Group Bridge Engineering Co., Ltd. "Sleeping bags and raincoats are all packed in bags. The moment we receive the order, we just grab our bags and head straight there,” said Lhapa Tsering, a rescuer.
Among those staying at Zeng's store are emergency support personnel, frontline workers and freight drivers. No matter how late they return, Zeng keeps the lights on to welcome them.
"Their rescue work doesn't follow a regular schedule, and sometimes they come back very late. I always keep the light on so they can return at any time," said Zeng.
Across the streets of Gyirong County, temporary volunteer service stations have been set up, operating around the clock to provide a wide range of supplies to rescuers and local residents alike.
"When disaster strikes, help comes from all sides. I have lived here for nearly 30 years -- this place is half my hometown. As long as I can help in any way, even just a little, it is a small token of my appreciation," a local merchant.
Gyirong merchants mobilize to provide free aid to rescue teams, frontline workers
