SCO Secretary-General meets with Chinese Minister of Transport
On 26 March 2021, SCO Secretary-General Vladimir Norov had a meeting with Li Xiaopeng, Minister of Transport of the People's Republic of China.
They exchanged opinions on topical matters concerning the coronavirus pandemic's influence on expanding transport communications cooperation, the digitalisation of the transport sector in the SCO region, the organisation of international events aiming to expand transport collaboration and the finalisation of the relevant draft paperwork.
The SCO Secretary-General said that there was a need for considerably invigorating and expanding multilateral transport cooperation to implement agreements between the heads of state and government, as well as SCO documents.
Mr Norov noted that the inauguration of routes mentioned in the Agreement on Facilitation of International Road Transport between the governments of the SCO member states showed the unity of the SCO member states during the pandemic. He also noted how important it is to further expand new railway routes and to create multi-purpose logistic hubs. The transport infrastructure of the member states should also be upgraded, he said.
The SCO Secretary-General suggested holding a panel session dedicated to the digitalisation of the transport sector, as part of the SCO Digital Economy Forum in Chongqing and compiling an album on expanding SCO transport cooperation in the run-up to the Organisation's 20th anniversary.
Chinese Minister of Transport Li Xiaopeng thanked the SCO Secretary-General for actively promoting transport cooperation within the SCO and underscored the importance of jointly implementing measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus pandemic during transportation.
Li Xiaopeng spoke about the need for coordinating and approving important SCO transport documents, now being finalised by the parties, as soon as possible. He also voiced all-round support for the SCO Secretary-General's proposals in this area.
At the end of the meeting, the Minister of Transport wished the SCO Secretary-General every success in achieving the set goals and successfully implementing the planned events devoted to the Organisation's 20th anniversary.