SCO - catalyst for inclusive cooperation Summit in Astana and “Shanghai Spirit”

The Chinese media outlets have paid special attention to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Astana and prepared extensive analytical articles.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) currently boasts 9 member countries, 3 observer states, and 14 dialogue partners, spanning the continents of Asia, Europe, and Africa, Caliber.Az reports citing the Chinese media.

According to the article, together, SCO member states represent over 40 per cent of the world's population and account for one-quarter of the global economy. Following the memorandum signed at the 2023 SCO summit, the organisation is set to further expand this year, demonstrating its growing influence.

SCO member countries face the critical tasks of national development and economic revitalization. From its initial focus on security cooperation to the dual-driven model of security and economic cooperation, and now to a multi-track approach encompassing health, security, development, and cultural community, the SCO has forged a unique path of development. It has become a bridge of cooperation, a bond of friendship, and a constructive force in the region.

Economic and trade cooperation have significantly boosted the economic scale and development levels of SCO member states. By 2021, their combined GDP had surged to approximately $23.3 trillion, over 13 times its initial size. In 20 years, total foreign trade volume among SCO members increased nearly 100-fold. As of mid-2022, China's direct investment in other SCO member states had exceeded $37.5 billion.

China, a founding member of the SCO, has consistently led initiatives to propel the organization's steady progress. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a prime example of practical cooperation, with many SCO members being early participants. Trade and investment among SCO members have surged, with China-Central Asia trade reaching nearly $90 billion in 2023.

Key infrastructure projects, like the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway, the Central Asia–China Gas Pipeline, along with the regular and efficient operation of China-Europe freight trains, illustrate the efforts to enhance "hard connectivity" among SCO members. Additionally, the SCO has established numerous multi-level, multi-field consultation mechanisms and cultural exchange events, fostering deeper mutual understanding.

The Astana summit is expected to reach further consensus on aligning the BRI with national development strategies, initiating more cooperative projects, and enhancing the SCO's role in the global economy.

At a time when global governance is being reshaped, the SCO's role in regional stability and development is crucial. China is poised to play an active role in driving collective efforts within the SCO, ensuring that this summit lays the groundwork for new chapters of cooperation, fostering regional security and development, and building a community with a shared future for humanity.

The summit in Astana has already become one of the key international events, the Chinese newspaper writes.

Astana is the host of the ongoing Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit. The summit has already become one of the key international events. 

The world currently is facing profound changes, which has brought both challenges and new opportunities for the SCO. It can be said that this era of historical change is opening a new strategic "window" for the SCO. The organization can make a significant contribution to ensuring peace and stability in the world. The SCO, a mechanism for developing good-neighborly relations, confidence-building and security for China, Russia and Central Asian countries, has evolved into an organization of interregional cooperation with the accession of India, Iran and Pakistan. 

The root of the harmony in relations among small, medium and large SCO member states lies in the convergence of the interests of one country with those of the powers playing an active role in the SCO region.

To better understand the prospects of the SCO in new historical conditions, attention should be given to the concept of "Shanghai Spirit," which is the cornerstone of the SCO. The "Shanghai Spirit" is a value concept which champions mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diversity of civilizations and pursuit of common development. The "Shanghai Spirit" reveals the SCO's mission, as well as the principles and philosophy of the organization.

Today's world is characterized by a high degree of interdependence among countries. Most of the problems are cross-border in nature, such as financial and energy crises, environmental pollution, terrorism and the spread of diseases. These challenges can only be addressed through multilateral cooperation, rather than through opposition. 

The "Shanghai Spirit" offers a new model of international relations and security. Its distinctive features include the peaceful resolution of inter-state conflicts and the unacceptability of armed pressure.

The SCO principles, such as consensus-based decision-making, non-alignment and mutually beneficial cooperation, provide the organization with a number of advantages, which are also its strengths in the current era of global turbulence. 

Over the past two decades, the SCO, starting with the settlement of border issues among relevant countries, has transformed into an organization of interregional cooperation. This cooperation spans a wide range of issues, including security, education, humanitarian aid, economic cooperation, culture and other areas of common interest. 

The SCO has successfully contributed to establishing effective regional cooperation in political, trade, economic, cultural, educational and other fields, while also maintaining peace, security and stability in the region. In this context, the SCO member states fully complement each other. The SCO's mission in the current era of global turbulence and profound changes is of particular importance - to act as a catalyst and platform for inclusive and effective forms of cooperation. The SCO remains one of the most stable and reputable organizations.