In a pivotal gathering last week, President Xi Jinping took center stage at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Astana, Kazakhstan. This event marked a significant moment for the SCO as it charted its future amidst a rapidly evolving global landscape.
A Growing Organization Committed to the Shanghai Spirit
The SCO, the first international group named after a Chinese city, has its roots deeply embedded in the Shanghai Spirit—an ethos established during its inception in 2001. This spirit emphasizes mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diverse civilizations, and the pursuit of common development.
Over the past 23 years, the SCO has expanded from its original six members to a robust family of 26 countries, making it the largest regional organization globally by land area and population. This growth underscores the global resonance of the Shanghai Spirit, attracting more nations to embrace its principles of peaceful cooperation and development.
A Positive Force for Peace and Prosperity
The recent summit in Astana was a testament to the SCO's commitment to fostering collaboration across various sectors, including economy, finance, security, and culture. Member countries collectively agreed to enhance their strategies in addressing security threats, with a unified stance against terrorism, extremism, and separatism.
President Xi emphasized the importance of the SCO standing on the right side of history, advocating for fairness and justice. He highlighted the necessity of solidarity and coordinated efforts among SCO members to uphold the Shanghai Spirit, ensuring the organization's continuous development and serving as a reliable foundation for the prosperity and success of its members.
Addressing key challenges, President Xi outlined three crucial tasks for the SCO: maintaining security in the face of Cold War-era mentalities, safeguarding the right to development against restrictive practices, and unifying members to resist external attempts to interfere in their internal affairs. These focus areas are pivotal in steering the SCO towards a future of sustained peace and collaborative growth.
Reference(s):
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