Reception Marking the SCO Secretariat's 20th Anniversary Held in Beijing

On February 22, 2024, the SCO Secretariat in Beijing hosted an official reception marking the 20th anniversary of its founding.

The 200 attendees included Zhang Ming, SCO Secretary-General, Wang Yi, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China, Shakhrat Nuryshev, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to China, the country presiding in the SCO, and senior officials of Chinese state agencies, heads of diplomatic missions of the SCO member states in Beijing, representatives of regional organizations, the media as well as the leadership of the SCO Secretariat and its officials.

In his speech, SCO Secretary-General Zhang Ming noted that the Organization honors the principles of the Shanghai Spirit, including mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for the diversity of civilizations and pursuit of common development. It promotes more intensive and more effective cooperation between states, encompassing political, security, economic, cultural, and humanitarian issues, as well as international relations. It creates a new model of interaction based on solidarity and cooperation between countries with different social systems and development concepts, as well as openness and mutually beneficial contacts, inclusivity, and mutual understanding.

Wang Yi noted that the SCO has always been a high priority of China's foreign policy and that China is ready to steadily work toward the Organization's initial goals together with all SCO partners. He added that China remains committed to solidarity and cooperation and that it wants to strengthen the SCO for the sake of lasting peace and universal prosperity. He also reaffirmed that China's support for the Organization's activities will remain consistent.

Shakhrat Nuryshev noted that their joint efforts have turned the SCO into an influential association that helps resolve an entire range of topical regional issues. The SCO has made an important contribution to strengthening regional security, developing the economic and trade relations among various countries, and expanding people-to-people cooperation. The Ambassador was confident that, with the comprehensive support of their SCO partners, Kazakhstan's presidency will be well-organized and substantive, and the upcoming summit in Astana will provide a powerful new impetus for the SCO's future progress.