Xi attends SCO summit, calls for unity, coordination

Chinese President Xi Jinping addresses the 23rd meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) via video conference from Beijing, capital of China, July 4, 2023. [Xinhua]

He said member states should maintain regional peace and safeguard common security. China stands ready to work with all sides to implement the Global Security Initiative, promote the settlement of international disputes through dialogue and consultation, and encourage political settlement of international and regional hotspots, so as to forge a solid security shield in the region.

He called for upgrading SCO security cooperation, and crack down hard on the forces of terrorism, separatism and extremism such as the "East Turkistan" elements, drug trafficking, and cyber and transnational organized crimes and expand cooperation in the nontraditional security fields, including digital, biological and outer space security.

Xi said member states should continue to utilize platforms such as the mechanism of coordination and cooperation among Afghanistan's neighbors, and encourage the country to embark on the path of peace and reconstruction.

Member states should further deepen cooperation in education, science and technology, culture, health, sport and media. In the coming three years, China will provide member states with 1,000 International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarships, offer 3,000 "Chinese Bridge" summer camp opportunities, and invite 100 young scientists to China for scientific research exchanges, Xi said.

Xi said member countries should practice multilateralism and improve global governance. Member states should advocate the common values of humanity, uphold the UN-centered international system and the international order based on international law, and oppose hegemonism and power politics.

He called on member states to make global governance more just and equitable, and advance modernization of the entire humanity through collective efforts to promote equal rights, equal opportunities and fair rules for all, and jointly promote world peace, drive global development and safeguard the international order.