Xiplomacy: Xi's remarks on building closer SCO community with shared future

BEIJING, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday called on members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) to build a closer SCO community with a shared future and make greater contributions to world peace and common prosperity.

Addressing the 21st Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO via video link, Xi urged the SCO members to hold high the banner of the Shanghai Spirit, stay true to the SCO's founding mission, advance in the right direction of building a community with a shared future for mankind, and embark on a new journey for the development of the SCO.

The SCO countries, he said, need to follow the journey of enhancing solidarity and cooperation, upholding common security, promoting openness and integration, boosting interactions and mutual learning and upholding equity and justice.

Over recent years, Xi has been consistently calling for joint efforts to cement SCO cooperation in various fields. The following are some highlights of his remarks in this regard.

Nov. 10, 2020

While attending the 20th SCO summit in 2020 via video link, Xi expounded on the vision of building an SCO community with a shared future, putting forward "a community of health for us all," "a community of security for us all," "a community of development for us all" and "a community of cultural exchanges for us all."

In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, Xi offered China's approach to strengthening SCO cooperation while meeting challenges brought by the coronavirus disease.

"Solidarity and cooperation are the most powerful weapon in the fight against COVID-19, and now it is imperative to do everything possible to save lives," he said.

Xi called on the SCO countries to strengthen joint efforts in the prevention and control of COVID-19, support each other, and safeguard regional and global public health security.

June 14, 2019

During his speech at the 19th SCO summit in the Kyrgyz capital of Bishkek, Xi noted that it is advisable to discard the concept of a clash of civilizations and uphold openness, inclusiveness and mutual learning.

He called on member countries to deepen cooperation in such areas as culture, education, tourism, sports and media, and at local levels, as well as increase public involvement and sense of fulfillment.

June 10, 2018

At the 18th SCO summit in east China's port city of Qingdao, which was the first gathering of leaders of all eight members since India and Pakistan joined the organization, Xi hailed the SCO as "a new model for regional cooperation" and shared ideas on how to tackle global challenges.

"We should uphold innovative, coordinated, green, open and inclusive development," he said, calling for resolving issues regarding unbalanced development. "We should reject self-centered, short-sighted and closed-door policies."

June 9, 2017

"All member states, old and new, should work in close coordination, deepen mutual trust and increase mutual support in their endeavor to build a community of shared future featuring equality, mutual support, solidarity and sharing of weal and woe," said Xi at the 17th SCO summit in Kazakhstan.

On security issues, the Chinese president said the SCO should continue to give priority to its commitment to maintain regional security and stability.

"Recent acts of terrorism in this region show that the fight against the three forces (of terrorism, separatism and extremism) remains a long and arduous task," he said. Enditem