The 2025 SCO Forum on People-to-People Exchange kicked off in Beijing on Monday, bringing together more than 100 political, cultural, and media representatives from across SCO member states. Co-hosted by China Media Group (CMG) and the SCO Secretariat, the forum showcased a blend of dialogue, innovation, and cooperation under one roof.
President Sadyr Japarov of Kyrgyzstan praised the forum as a vivid expression of the “Shanghai Spirit” and said Kyrgyzstan will deepen collaboration with CMG during its upcoming SCO presidency from 2025 to 2026. In complementary messages, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif highlighted the importance of sincere dialogue and mutual understanding among civilizations, commending CMG’s professional, objective, and inclusive communication approach.
Shen Haixiong, Vice Minister of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and President of CMG, noted that as the most extensive and populous regional organization in the world, the SCO spans a diverse landscape of civilizations. He underlined the shared responsibility to tell stories of innovation and development, sending a powerful message of openness and cooperation.
SCO Secretary-General Nurlan Yermekbayev announced plans to sign new cooperation agreements and launch joint initiatives with CMG, inviting mainstream media outlets from SCO members, observers, and dialogue partners to engage actively in future projects.
Oleg Dobrodeyev, President of the All-Russia State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company, joined via video link to stress that trust, respect, and equality form the solid foundation of the SCO and should guide all media cooperation across the region.
Meanwhile, China Global Television Network (CGTN) has rolled out the “China Up Close · A Journey of Harmony” media event in partnership with mainstream outlets from SCO member states. Journalists from 42 countries traveled through Tianjin Municipality, Shaanxi, and Shandong provinces to experience Chinese-style modernization firsthand.
In a move to empower the next generation, CMG, the SCO Secretariat, and the Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation Commission of the SCO unveiled an integrated media program for cultural exchange. The initiative invited young people from SCO member states to share inspiring stories of cross-border collaboration, with three youth representatives taking the stage to describe their deep connections with China.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
