Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Saturday briefed the media on Chinese President Xi Jinping's attendance at the 24th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and his state visits to Kazakhstan and Tajikistan.
President Xi's Central Asia trip is of great significance to charting the course for the SCO's development, deepening the friendship between China and regional countries, and promoting the building of a community with a shared future for neighboring countries, said Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.
Chinese President Xi Jinping (6th L) poses for a group photo with leaders attending the 24th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO in Astana, Kazakhstan, July 4, 2024. /Xinhua
New leap for the SCO
Wang said President Xi pointed out that it is of great significance to the world that the SCO stands on the right side of history, as well as fairness and justice.
Emphasizing the importance of solidarity and cooperation in the development of the SCO, Wang said China is willing to work with regional countries to continue to carry forward the Shanghai Spirit, go in the right direction, and build the SCO into a reliable strategic support for member states to achieve common prosperity and revitalization.
President Xi called on the SCO member states to build a shared home featuring solidarity and mutual trust, peace and tranquility, prosperity and development, good neighborliness and friendship, as well as fairness and justice, Wang noted. He added that China is ready to enhance unity and cooperation with other member states.
Wang said various parties spoke highly of President Xi's speeches at the SCO summit and the SCO+ meeting and commended China's important contributions to promoting the development of the SCO and regional peace and stability, as well as its key role in uniting the Global South to advance the building of a more just and reasonable international order.
Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev attend the opening ceremony of the Trans-Caspian International Transportation Route via video link in Astana, Kazakhstan, July 3, 2024. /Xinhua
New connotations of China-Kazakhstan community with shared future
Speaking of President Xi's state visit to Kazakhstan, Wang said the two heads of state reiterated the building of a China-Kazakhstan community with a shared future and made plans for the new "30 golden years" of bilateral relations.
China is unswerving in its original intention to safeguard the China-Kazakhstan friendship, its perseverance in promoting all-round cooperation, its determination to support each other's core interests, and its confidence in achieving respective national development goals, said Wang.
Wang said the two heads of state issued a joint statement during the visit and witnessed the signing of several cooperation documents.
President Xi and President Tokayev jointly attended the opening ceremony of the Trans-Caspian International Transportation Route, which will inject strong impetus into high-quality Belt and Road cooperation between the two countries, said Wang.
China is ready to work with Kazakhstan to implement the important results of this visit, firmly uphold mutual support, and be reliable partners in achieving national development and revitalization, he added.
Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) and Tajik President Emomali Rahmon attend the inauguration of a parliament building and a government building aided by China in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, July 5, 2024. /Xinhua
New positioning of China-Tajikistan relations
Regarding President Xi's state visit to Tajikistan, Wang said that during the visit, the two heads of state announced the elevation of ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership in the new era.
The two sides pledged to advance mutually beneficial cooperation, firmly support each other in taking development paths suited to their own national conditions, and safeguard their respective national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, he said.
Speaking of the highlights of the visit, Wang said the first was the two presidents attending the inauguration of the Chinese-aided parliament and government buildings in Dushanbe, which will become new landmarks symbolizing friendly cooperation between China and Tajikistan.
Meanwhile, President Xi awarded President Rahmon with the Friendship Medal of the People's Republic of China, Wang said, adding that it is the first time the award has been presented outside of China, showing the high level of China-Tajikistan relations.
The friendship between the two countries is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, and the future of China-Tajikistan relations is promising, he said.
Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on the sidelines of the 24th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO in Astana, Kazakhstan, July 4, 2024. /Xinhua
New growth for promoting world peace
President Xi also met with a slew of foreign leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, during the SCO summit, underscoring the importance of enhancing the unity and cooperation of the Global South, Wang said.
All parties highly appreciated the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind and the global initiatives proposed by President Xi and spoke highly of China's important contributions to promoting world peace and development, he said.
Putin said Russia will work with other member states to continuously enhance the international influence of the organization, safeguard regional peace and security, and promote the development of the international system in a more just and equitable direction.
The future of humanity largely depends on China, Guterres said, adding that the United Nations looks forward to further strengthening communication and cooperation with China.