Wang Yi Meets with SCO Secretary-General Zhang Ming

On March 17, 2022, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Zhang Ming in Beijing.

Wang Yi congratulated Zhang Ming on taking up his new post and said that since the establishment of the SCO, it has made brilliant development achievements and accumulated valuable cooperation experience, playing an important and unique role in maintaining regional peace and stability and promoting the development and revitalization of member states. Last year, we jointly celebrated the 20th anniversary of the SCO, started a new round of membership expansion process, drew a new blueprint for development, and took solid steps towards building a closer SCO community with a shared future.

Wang Yi pointed out, currently, the world has entered a period of turbulence and transformation, and the security and development environment facing human society is complex and severe. As the international organization covering the vastest territory and the largest population, the SCO, facing various impacts brought by the Ukraine crisis, should play a more active role in maintaining security and stability in the region and beyond. First, we should vigorously carry forward the "Shanghai Spirit", deepen solidarity and coordination among member states, and strengthen mutual support. Second, we should actively act on the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, and maintain regional stability and security. Third, we must resolutely oppose returning to the Cold War mentality and creating bloc confrontations. The pursuit of exclusive or absolute security goes nowhere and will bring endless harm. Fourth, we must resolutely oppose illegal unilateral sanctions, respect the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and defend international fairness and justice.

Wang Yi said, as the host country, China will as always support the work of the Secretary-General and the Secretariat. China expects that the Secretariat will show a new atmosphere, carry out new actions and achieve new results in aspects such as organizing major events, maintaining solidarity and coordination, and promoting key cooperation, so as to continuously improve the cohesion, action and influence of the SCO.

Zhang Ming said, he will lead the Secretariat to actively perform duties, carry out the work in a down-to-earth manner, coordinate efforts to promote cooperation in various fields, and make due contributions to the development of the SCO. The SCO closely follows the situation in Ukraine and hopes that peace can be restored and the security for all can be ensured at an early date, so as to realize lasting peace and stability in the world.