Chinese premier urges SCO to promote regional stability, prosperity

By Saadet Gokce

ISTANBUL (AA) - Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Tuesday called on the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) to promote regional stability and prosperity and contribute to global development.

Speaking at a meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of Government in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, Li said factors contributing to global instability and uncertainty were increasing, underscoring the need to build greater consensus on fundamental principles, including vision and strategic thinking, as well as practical measures and implementation.

He said that while different schools of thought were competing on the international stage, multipolarity and economic globalization remained "prevailing trends."

Li called on SCO members to adopt a global outlook and a strong sense of responsibility, urging the organization to continue upholding the "Shanghai Spirit."

He urged the organization's members to deepen trade ties, promote regional economic integration, build a stable and resilient system of international transport corridors and safeguard global industrial and supply chains.

Beijing is willing to sponsor 1,000 medical professionals from SCO countries for further training in China, he said.

Li said the organization should strive to unite more international partners and play an active role at the global level.

"It is particularly important to seek common ground while reserving differences and to build consensus while resolving differences," he said.

After the meeting, participating leaders signed and issued a joint communique and approved cooperation documents covering trade and investment, industry and connectivity, as well as resolutions concerning the SCO's development.

The SCO was formed in 2001 and currently has 10 members, including China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India, Pakistan, Iran and Belarus.

Saadet Gökce