SCO unites on green growth, cultural bonds

More than 200 delegates from Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states gathered in Tianjin on Wednesday to discuss communication and cooperation among the countries on sustainable development, cultural exchange and other topics.

Du Zhanyuan, president of China International Communications Group, said that sustainable development has become a growing focus of attention among SCO member states.

"We should actively implement the proposed initiatives and contribute to global environmental governance," Du said. "This includes expanding cooperation in circular economy development, energy conservation and low-emission technologies, while deepening policy communication and dialogue."

By the end of last year, the total installed capacity of renewable energy among SCO member states had reached 2.31 billion kilowatts — 14.5 times that in 2001, the year the organization was founded, and accounting for about 50 percent of the global total.

Du also expressed hopes for deeper exchanges in historical heritage and people-to-people ties.

"Both history and current realities show that inter-civilization exchange plays an irreplaceable role in advancing human progress and global peace," Du said. "Looking ahead, we should continue to advocate equality, inclusiveness and mutual learning among different civilizations, and promote cultural innovation through dialogue."

He added that building platforms for dialogue among media, think tanks, youth and cultural sectors would help engage broader communities in the SCO's mission and pass on the spirit of mutual support and friendship across generations.

Sohail Khan, deputy secretary-general of the SCO, emphasized the importance of people-to-people exchanges and acknowledged China's leading role in this area.

"We have humanitarian interaction in science, technology, health and student exchanges," he said. "These are the areas where China is already playing a key role in bringing people together on the SCO platform."

Founded in Shanghai, the SCO aims to enhance mutual trust and effective cooperation among its member states. China holds the rotating presidency of the organization for 2024-25 and will host the 25th meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO on Aug 31 and Sept 1 in Tianjin.

Zafar-Ud-Din Mahmood, special assistant to the prime minister of Pakistan and president of the Understanding China Forum, a Pakistan-based think tank, said that people around the world are becoming increasingly curious about and familiar with China.

"Every individual has used one or another Chinese product," he said. "When people get to know China in this way, it naturally sparks a desire to learn more about the country."

At the forum, Sun Jingxin, vice-president of the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies, said that China is working to strengthen digital cooperation among SCO member states by advancing digital infrastructure development and building collaborative platforms, thereby leveraging technologies such as artificial intelligence and 5G. The goal, he added, is to promote economic growth and civilizational exchange across the region in the digital era.