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Xi Jinping Attends the 19th Meeting of the Council of Heads of Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and Delivers an Important Speech

2019-06-14 15:39

On June 14, 2019 local time, the 19th Meeting of the Council of Heads of Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) was held in Bishkek, capital of Kyrgyzstan. President Xi Jinping attended the meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan, President Sooronbay Jeenbekov of Kyrgyzstan, Prime Minister Imran Khan of Pakistan, President Vladimir Putin of Russia, President Emomali Rahmon of Tajikistan, and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan. Xi Jinping delivered an important speech, stressing that we should draw inspiration from the wisdom of the Shanghai Spirit, and seek strength from solidarity and cooperation to make the SCO an example of solidarity and mutual trust, common security, mutually beneficial cooperation, inclusiveness and mutual learning and jointly build a closer SCO community with a shared future.

In the morning of local time, Xi Jinping arrived at the conference center hall of Ala Archa State Guest House and was warmly greeted by Sooronbay Jeenbekov.

The heads of SCO member states first held small-scale talks, and then invited heads of observer states including President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani of Afghanistan, President Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus, President Hassan Rouhani of Iran, and President Khaltmaa Battulga of Mongolia as well as representatives of relevant international and regional organizations to participate in the large-scale talks. Sooronbay Jeenbekov chaired the meetings. The participants discussed the implementation of the outcomes of the SCO Qingdao summit, exchanged views and reached broad consensus on development of the SCO under the current political and economic situation in the world, and on major international and regional issues.

Xi Jinping delivered an important speech titled Staying Focused and Taking Solid Actions For a Brighter Future of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

Xi Jinping pointed out since the Qingdao Summit, guided by the Shanghai Spirit, SCO members have deepened cooperation in various fields and scored new achievements in moving the organization forward from a new starting point. Despite immense changes in the international situation, peace, development and win-win cooperation remain the irreversible trend of our times. We need to keep a profound understanding of the overriding trend toward multi-polarity and economic globalization, draw inspiration from the wisdom of the Shanghai Spirit, and seek strength from solidarity and cooperation so as to jointly build a closer SCO community with a shared future.

First, we must make the SCO an example of solidarity and mutual trust. The Shanghai Spirit embodies the core values and common vision of the SCO. We must abide by the purposes and principles established by the SCO Charter and the Treaty on Long-term Good Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation, strengthen political mutual trust, give each other greater support, and expand convergence of interests.

Second, we must make the SCO an example of common security. We must pursue common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security. We must take a multi-pronged approach against terrorism, separatism and extremism and we must further strengthen cooperation on deradicalization and we will play a constructive role in the early realization of peace, reconciliation, stability and development in Afghanistan.

Third, we must make the SCO an example of mutually beneficial cooperation. We must uphold the multilateral trading system, build an open world economy, work toward more institutional arrangements on trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, and make full use of such cooperation and sharing platforms as the China International Import Expo to pursue greater economic openness, exchange and integration in our region. It is important that we earnestly deliver on the outcomes of the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) and better synergize the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) with the development strategies of countries in the region as well as regional cooperation initiatives such as the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) to achieve all-round connectivity. We need to pursue innovation-driven development and foster new areas of cooperation such as digital economy, e-commerce, artificial intelligence and big data.

Fourth, we must make the SCO an example of inclusiveness and mutual learning. We need to say no to the idea of clash of civilizations, uphold openness, inclusiveness and mutual learning. We need to deepen our cooperation in culture, education, tourism, sports and media to ensure greater involvement of and greater benefit for our people.

Xi Jinping stressed that in the face of increasing global challenges, it is imperative that we live up to our international responsibilities, stay committed to the vision of global governance based on extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits. It is imperative that we uphold the international system with the United Nations at its core, promote multilateralism and free trade and make the international order more just and equitable. The SCO needs to improve its network of partnerships, play a more active role in international and regional affairs, and jointly contribute to durable peace and common prosperity of the world. Let us act in the Shanghai Spirit, stay focused and take solid actions for an even brighter future of the SCO.

Leaders present at the meeting reiterated adherence to upholding multilateralism and abiding by the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, expressed their commitment to building a new type of international relations on the basis of the international law and establishing the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind, and agreed to lift the SCO's role in international and regional affairs.

Many leaders spoke highly of the progress made in the Belt and Road Initiative and reaffirmed their support for the synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and national development strategies of their countries. They advocated deepening practical cooperation in trade, finance, investment, transportation, energy, agriculture, innovation, high technology and people-to-people and cultural exchanges, promoting trade and investment facilitation, advancing regional integration, jointly building an open world economy, maintaining the authority and effectiveness of the World Trade Organization, and opposing any form of unilateralism and protectionism.

The leaders stressed the need to jointly maintain regional security, stability and sustainable development of the SCO, resolutely combat international terrorism, separatism and transnational organized crimes, and jointly tackle the threat of drugs. The Afghan issue concerns regional security, so it is necessary for the SCO to play a more important role in the political settlement of the Afghan issue.

The meeting decided that next meeting of the Council of Heads of Member States of the SCO will be held in Russia. The next SCO chair will be Russia.

Leaders of the SCO member states signed the Bishkek Declaration of the Council of Heads of Member States of the SCO and 13 cooperation documents on information and communication technology, drug control and sub-national cooperation.

The meeting issued a press communique on meeting of the Council of Heads of Member States of the SCO.

After the meeting, Xi Jinping attended a welcome banquet held by Sooronbay Jeenbekov for leaders of various countries and heads of international and regional organizations attending the meeting.

Ding Xuexiang, Yang Jiechi, Wang Yi, He Lifeng and others attended relevant activities.

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