Much enthusiasm among youths ahead of SCO summit

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03:20

‍The buzz ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s (SCO) annual summit has sparked a sense of enthusiasm among the young members of the 18 SCO affiliate countries.

CGTN Digital caught up with some of these young minds to find out what they think of the SCO and what they hope to be the road ahead.

Most agreed that the organization is a great platform for uniting the Eurasian member countries and encourage cooperation and exchange in various fields including, culture, trade and economics.

Nazarke Aibar, Kazakh student, Peking University. /CGTN Photo

Others looked at China’s role within the SCO as a great enabler.

“SCO can play a key role in the revival of the Silk Road, which is happening now with China’s Belt and Road Initiative,” said Nazarke Aibar from Kazakhstan.

“Interconnectivity of China with other countries around the world will only grow and it will bring a lot of benefit, not only for my country but also for all countries which are part of the SCO,” the student from Peking University added.

Russian entrepreneur Serge Platkovskiy, Partner, Octoplus Advisory. /CGTN Photo

Nearly everyone that CGTN Digital spoke with expressed great hope for the future of the SCO, with some seeing it as providing a direction to global governance.

“I think it's a very timely solution to unite the countries in the Eurasian continent. SCO has set the foundation for a very strong cultural and political alliance in our immediate neighborhood to help build a common future,” said Russian entrepreneur Serge Platkovskiy.

Indian pianist and music entrepreneur Nikhil Sardana performs at the SCO Secretariat in Beijing on May 14, 2018. /CGTN Photo

Nikhil Sardana, a young pianist and music entrepreneur from India, felt that cultural diversity of the SCO countries are its biggest strength.

“The SCO is one of the best organizations out there that are promoting young artists to come out and celebrate the arts and music. It is playing an important role in supporting young talents such as myself, giving me the platform to perform for diplomats and officials from other countries,” said the musician who was invited to perform at the SCO Secretariat in Beijing last month.

Zoon Ahmed Khan, Pakistani researcher and journalist based in Beijing. /CGTN Photo

Many young members welcomed the SCO’s move last year to include India and Pakistan as member states.

“I really have a lot of hopes from the SCO in terms of reducing the misunderstandings and making these two countries cooperate and understand one another,” remarked Zoon Ahmed Khan, a Beijing-based Pakistani researcher and journalist.

Li Yunlong, Chinese journalist. /CGTN Photo

“I hope SCO members can present a united front and align their interests to contribute to the lopsided global governance, to make the Shanghai Spirit flourish,” said Li Yunlong, a Chinese journalist.

“We call it the SCO family because everything is based on equality. I see it as a great platform for future regional cooperation,” Yasmina Umarova, an Uzbek student from Beijing’s Renmin University.

Yasmina Umarova, Uzbek student, Renmin University of China, Beijing.

Cameraperson: Li Jingjing, Geng Zhibin

Video Editor: Geng Zhibin

Reporters: Wang Xiaonan, Abhishek G Bhaya

Director: Abhishek G Bhaya

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