A journey to harmony under the SCO
From August 18th to 23rd, a group of international journalists joined “Watch China Together: A Journey to Harmony,” a media tour that showcased the SCO’s impact on smart agriculture, green port development and cultural exchange. Hosted by Bridget Mutambirwa, the team reflected on their experiences in Yangling, Xi’an and Qingdao with insights from Yasir Masood and Ehrard Vermaak.
Yangling: The agricultural powerhouse
Yangling surprised delegates with a blend of deep-rooted farming history and cutting-edge innovation. “Yangling was very, very clean, very organized… It showed me that Yangling is not just a small town. It has a long, long history of agriculture,” said Vermaak as he admired high-speed rail links and uniform fields boasting massive maize growth.
Masood highlighted Yangling’s role as a global hub for knowledge sharing: “The SCO Agriculture Technology Exchange and Training Demonstration Base there has brought around 96 institutions from 18 countries… and is extending its expertise to the rest of the world as well, for example, in Africa.” He noted Pakistan’s Prime Minister sending 1,000 students to train in agriculture, calling them “ambassadors” of future growth.
Xi’an: Reviving the Silk Road
The group then explored the China Europe Railway Express, where Masood saw a modern revival of Silk Road trade. He reflected on how ancient texts once traveled these routes: “It’s like seeing Ibn Sina’s ‘Canon of Medicine’ reach Europe, transforming knowledge—with no geopolitical strings attached.”
Qingdao: Where culture meets commerce
In Qingdao, the SCO Exhibition Center—known as “The Pearl”—stood out. “It’s shaped like a massive clamshell… the goods inside being traded are the Pearl,” Vermaak observed, impressed by South African wine and Rooibos tea on display. Masood was awed by the automated port and China Movie Metropolis, viewing the city as a seamless blend of history and modern industry.
The takeaway: A connected chain of collaboration
Together, the journalists pieced together how agriculture, connectivity and culture form a powerful collaboration chain. “They showed us where products come from… then how they move with efficiency,” said Vermaak. Masood summarized, “In Yangling, it was agriculture; in Xi’an, connectivity; in Qingdao, culture. These pillars of the SCO were brought to life during this visit.”
The group left inspired to turn insights into action, fostering deeper cooperation and shared prosperity across the Global South.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
