Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday sent a congratulatory letter to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) non-governmental friendship forum, expressing hope that the forum will become an important platform for all parties to enhance mutual understanding, deepen friendship and strengthen cooperation. 

Xi said he hopes all parties will uphold the "Shanghai Spirit," stick to the original intention, help each other and deepen cooperation. He stressed the need to give full play to the advantages of civil diplomacy and make positive contributions to the development of the SCO. 

The SCO non-governmental friendship forum is slated for June 2-4 in Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province. 

The Wuhan Initiative of SCO will be launched at the forum to promote pragmatic cooperation in economic development, poverty reduction, health, education, integrated media and big data with SCO member countries. 

(Cover: Logo of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. /CFP)