Chinese premier's Russia trip cements cooperation among SCO members

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Heads of government of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states pledged to strengthen economic ties and deepen security cooperation on countering terrorism while meeting in Sochi earlier this week.

A joint communique was reached at the 16th meeting of the Council of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Heads of Government (Prime Ministers). China, leading the rotating presidency for 2017-2018, gained wide support from SCO member countries.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang made a six-point proposal on building a regional community of shared future, which includes creating a stable regional environment, accelerating the alignment of development strategies of member countries, and increasing the level of trade liberalization and facilitation between them.

Leaders at the meetings said regional security and economic development are in accordance with the common interests of all member countries.

Strengthening economic ties

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and heads of delegations attending the 16th meeting of the Council of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Heads of Government (Prime Ministers) pose for a group photo in Sochi. / Xinhua Photo‍

The prime ministers' meeting, which concluded on Friday, approved a joint communique, promising to enhance cooperation and coordination among SCO members to battle economic challenges.

The meeting was the first of its kind after a membership expansion in June to include India and Pakistan. The SCO now has China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India and Pakistan as its full members.

According to the communique, the leaders pledged to actively carry out the agreement reached during the 17th meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO, which was held in June in Astana, capital of Kazakhstan.

The world economic prospects could face adverse impact imposed by global terrorism, regional conflicts and natural disasters. In order to attain robust, sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth, it is important to carry out equality-based cooperation, the communique said.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang spoke at the 16th meeting of the Council of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Heads of Government (Prime Ministers). / Xinhua Photo

Facing the unstable financial and raw materials markets, fluctuating foreign exchange rates and rising protectionism, the SCO members need to take coordinated actions and improve the international monetary and financial system, according to the communique.

The members advocated an open, inclusive, transparent, non-discriminatory and rule-based multilateral trading system and called on countries to prevent fragmentation of international trade relations and to resist trade protectionism.

Closed cooperation on security

The SCO communique emphasized on stepping up cooperation in the fight against "three evil forces," namely terrorism, extremism and separatism in the current international and regional situation.

They agreed on supporting the efforts of Afghanistan in improving its domestic situation via political consultations and dialogue so as to restore peace, stability and prosperity in the country.

When addressing the SCO leaders, Premier Li urged member countries to approve an anti-extremism treaty at an early date to better safeguard security and peace in the region.

The SCO Convention on Countering Extremism was signed by eight member countries in the Astana summit, but needs to be approved by all member countries to become effective.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang spoke at the 16th meeting of the Council of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Heads of Government (Prime Ministers). / Xinhua Photo

"We call on fellow SCO members to expedite domestic procedures for the early ratification of the Convention," Li said.

Li urged the member states to step up institution building on security and law enforcement cooperation, deepen cooperation on intelligence sharing, training and security for major events, and work together to prevent terrorist flow-back.

He also suggested the establishment of a regional center to address security challenges and threats, and to augment cooperation in drug control and fighting cross-border crimes.

Building regional connectivity

Moreover, Li advocated developing a well-connected infrastructure network, noting that the trial operation of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan international road transportation arrangement has been successfully conducted recently, marking a major breakthrough in regional connectivity.

"China is ready to work with all sides to promote better alignment of transport plans and systems of technology and standard and closer coordination in international customs clearance, reloading and multi-modal transport to improve the efficiency of regional logistics and transport," said Li.

Government heads meet at the 16th meeting of the Council of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Heads of Government (Prime Ministers). / Xinhua Photo

Connectivity in infrastructure cannot be achieved without financial connectivity. China supports the provision of greater financing to connectivity projects by financial institutions such as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, the Silk Road Fund, SCO Interbank Consortium and China-Eurasian Economic Cooperation Fund.

"We welcome the issuing of Panda bonds in China and RMB financing by companies and financial institutions of SCO states. China suggests continued efforts be made to work out a viable plan for setting up an SCO development bank with a view to opening new funding channels," he said.

The Chinese premier also urged relevant parties to enhance trade liberalization and facilitation, saying people should "cut down on tariff and non-tariff trade barriers, and jointly build an integrated regional market to unleash the trade potential in our region."

Expand cultural exchanges

Government leaders at the 16th meeting of the Council of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Heads of Government (Prime Ministers). /Xinhua Photo

The SCO leaders welcomed China, within the framework of the SCO's rotating presidency, to hold activities to promote the "Shanghai spirit" and develop partnership among the younger generations, and offer support for interactions between youth associations in the member countries, the communique said.

It is important to carry out cooperation in culture, education, science and technology, environmental protection, health, media, sports, tourism, academics and the preservation of cultural and natural heritage of the SCO region.

They will also continue to promote cultural exchanges, strengthen mutual understanding between different peoples, respect their respective cultural traditions, preserve cultural diversity, and hold related international exhibitions, festivals and competitions, the communique said.

Countries should study different cultures and preserve the region's cultural and natural heritage, including those along the "Silk Road."

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Source(s): Reuters ,Xinhua News Agency