Upholding Shanghai Spirit — SCO on the move

Express Tribune

11-02-2025

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The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) has consistently adhered to the "Shanghai Spirit" which emphasises "mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diversity of civilisations and pursuit of common development". It has continuously strengthened political mutual trust among member states and vigorously promoted cooperation in security, economy, culture, and other fields. The SCO has become an indispensable force in promoting world peace and development, as well as upholding international fairness and justice.
Currently, the international situation is in turmoil, with changes unseen in a century rapidly unfolding. Humanity faces increasing instability and uncertainty. Against this backdrop, China is willing to work with countries in the region to continue promoting the "Shanghai Spirit" and transform the SCO into a strategic pillar for fostering regional peace, stability, and shared prosperity.
The "Shanghai Spirit" has stood the test of time and carries profound contemporary significance. It aligns closely with the purposes of the United Nations Charter; is consistent with the "Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence"; and resonates deeply with the development aspirations of the "Global South". "Mutual trust" forms the cornerstone of stable relations among SCO member states; "mutual benefit" ensures shared gains in economic cooperation; "equality" is reflected in every aspect of the organisation's decision-making processes; "consultation" represents the effective approach the SCO has consistently practised in resolving international disputes; "respect for diversity of civilisations" fosters mutual tolerance and appreciation among member states; and "pursuit of common development" charts the forward path for SCO members.
Over the years, the "Shanghai Spirit" has provided theoretical support for the SCO's growth, serving as a shared emotional bond and cooperative principle among its members. It embodies the collective voice and powerful call of member states in the new era, as they strive for good-neighborly relations and peaceful development.
The "Shanghai Spirit" is pragmatic and progressive, aligning with the practical needs of regional and global governance. The SCO has always remained true to its founding mission. In recent years, the outcome documents adopted by member states at the SCO Summit and the Council of Heads of Government have focused on practical cooperation, actively strengthening collaboration in financing, energy, green industries, the digital economy, and other fields. These efforts have provided effective support for the economic and social prosperity of member states, allowing their citizens to enjoy a greater sense of gain.
The SCO is resolute in combating drug trafficking, transnational organised crime, and safeguarding international information security, while significantly enhancing cooperation in various non-traditional security areas. Additionally, the SCO places great emphasis on promoting cultural and people-to-people exchanges among member states, continuously innovating and organising forums such as the SCO forum "Year of Tourism 2023" and the SCO forum "Year of Ecology 2024". These initiatives have successfully created new platforms for cultural cooperation, laying a solid foundation of public support for lasting friendship and goodwill in the region.
The "Shanghai Spirit" is inclusive and open-minded, embodying the essence of promoting peace and prosperity. It transcends notions such as the clash of civilisations, Cold War mentality, and zero-sum game, and has been gaining increasingly widespread recognition from the international community. Guided by the "Shanghai Spirit", the SCO has united countries with diverse cultural backgrounds and at different stages of development. Member states respect one another, foster mutual trust and mutual benefit, and promote harmonious yet diverse and inclusive civilisational exchanges. Committed to common development, the SCO has established a constructive partnership that is non-aligned and not targeted against any other countries or regions, pioneering a new model of regional cooperation and making significant contributions to regional peace and development.
In 2024, the ''Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Plus'' Meeting in Astana approved the SCO initiative on solidarity among nations to promote global justice, harmony, and development, offering the "SCO Solution" for advancing the construction of a new type of international relations and a community with a shared future for mankind.
The "China Year" of the SCO will be a year of building on past achievements and forging ahead into the future. As a founding member of the SCO, China has always regarded the organisation as a key direction in its foreign policy. In July last year, President Xi Jinping delivered an important speech at the "Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Plus" Meeting in Astana, proposing the creation of common home of solidarity and mutual trust, peace and tranquility, prosperity and development, good-neighborliness and friendship, fairness and justice that offered clear guidance for shaping the new blueprint for the development of the SCO.
As the chairing country of the SCO from 2024 to 2025, China will implement the slogan "Upholding the Shanghai Spirit: SCO on the Move", hosting a SCO summit featuring friendship, solidarity and fruitful outcomes, as well as more than 40 institutionalised meetings. Besides, China will hold major events, including the SCO Political Parties Forum, Forum on Poverty Reduction and Sustainable Development, Forum on People-to-People Friendship and the Forum on Friendship Cities, and SCO International Investment and Trade Expo, as well as flagship events including the SCO Film Festival, Television Festival, Art Festival, Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition, Chinese Calligraphy Competition, Sculpture Tournament and SCO Summer Event.
Discussions will focus on key areas such as poverty reduction, food security, public health, development financing, climate change and green development, industrialisation, digital economy, and connectivity. Cooperation among member states will deepen in political, security, economic and cultural fields, working together to build an even closer SCO community with a shared future, contributing "SCO wisdom" for international and regional sustainable development, and offering "SCO strength" to address global challenges.
The "Shanghai Spirit" will inject new momentum into China-Pakistan cooperation. In October last year, Pakistan successfully hosted the 23rd Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of Member States of the SCO in Islamabad, making significant contributions to the practice of the "Shanghai Spirit". China and Pakistan share a solid foundation for cooperation and vast prospects for future collaboration. As CPEC enters a new phase of high-quality development, the two countries will continue to strengthen communication and coordination within the SCO framework. China and Pakistan will deepen strategic alignment, expand practical cooperation, address risks and challenges, and enhance people-to-people exchanges. We will strive to turn the vision of common home of solidarity and mutual trust, peace and tranquility, prosperity and development, good-neighborliness and friendship, fairness and justice into a tangible reality together, accelerate the building of a closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era, and bring more benefit to both nations and the two peoples.