Wang Yi Attends the Roundtable on "Shanghai Cooperation Organization: History, Status Quo and Prospects"

On June 29, 2022, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended and addressed the Roundtable on "Shanghai Cooperation Organization: History, Status Quo and Prospects" in Beijing via video link.

Wang Yi said, 20 years ago, the heads of the founding member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) jointly signed the Charter of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, which clarifies the purposes and tasks of promoting regional peace and development, and establishes the important principles of mutual trust, mutual benefit and equal-footed consultation. The signing of the Charter marked that the SCO has officially stepped onto the international stage as an emerging progressive force, and injected positive energy into steering the development of the international order with greater justice and equity. Fifteen years ago, SCO member states jointly signed the Treaty on Long-Term Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation, which stipulates that member states respect the development paths chosen by each other, reaffirms the cooperation principles of non-alignment, non-confrontation and non-targeting third parties, and fixes the vision of friendship for generations, peace forever, and shared development in a legal form, thus endowing the Shanghai Spirit with new connotations of the times, and playing a demonstration role for countries that differ in civilization and development mode to live in harmony and seek win-win cooperation.

Wang Yi stressed, guided by the Charter and the Treaty, the SCO remains true to its original aspiration, sticks to its commitment, and continuously upgrades regional cooperation, thus blazing a successful path of a new type of regional organization, and making important contributions to fostering a new type of international relations and building a community with a shared future for mankind. At present, the world has entered a new period of volatility and transformation. China is ready to work with SCO member states to vigorously carry forward the Shanghai Spirit, bravely solve the problems of the times, demonstrate readiness to shoulder due responsibilities, and promote the building of a closer SCO community with a shared future.

First, grasp the historical positioning, and strengthen solidarity and cooperation. It's important to enhance the sense of a community with a shared future, deepen political mutual trust, resolutely oppose external interference, and continue to provide solid support for each other's development and revitalization.

Second, address risks and challenges, and build a security barrier. All parties are welcome to actively participate in the implementation of the Global Security Initiative, act on the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, jointly address various traditional and non-traditional security threats, and work together to erect a strong defense to safeguard regional security.

Third, improve people's well-being and promote mutually beneficial cooperation. We should stay committed to the right path of inclusiveness, benefits for all and win-win results, advance the implementation of the Global Development Initiative, forge more cooperation highlights, improve pragmatic cooperation, and take concrete measures to meet the aspirations of the people in regional countries for a better life.

Fourth, safeguard fairness and justice, and improve the global governance. We should act on true multilateralism, stick to the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, oppose hegemony and bullying acts, resolutely reject the Cold War mentality and bloc confrontation, promote greater democracy in international relations, and contribute the SCO strength to building a community with a shared future for mankind.

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The Roundtable on "Shanghai Cooperation Organization: History, Status Quo and Prospects" was co-hosted by the SCO Secretariat and the Research Center for Shanghai Cooperation Organization, China Institute of International Studies, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Charter of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the 15th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty on Long-Term Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation. Foreign ministers of relevant SCO member states and SCO Secretary-General attended the roundtable.