The 18th Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit opens tomorrow here in the eastern Chinese city of Qingdao. What issues will top the agenda, and what can we expect? Our reporter Zou Yun explains.

Gearing up for the summit, with security and public services already beefed up. Qingdao is ready to host the leaders of the eight SCO countries. A new outlook is expected to be formed as the leaders discuss NEW measures to improve security cooperation amid the current international and regional unrest. They'll be also looking to formulate a new strategy to better connect their respective national development strategies, which should, in turn, boost regional cooperation.

WANG YI CHINESE STATE COUNCILOR & FOREIGN MINISTER "Formulating new measures for common security, regional security and stability is a shared concern of the SCO member states to strike the "Three Evil Forces". Drug trafficking and cyber-crimes are the priorities for cooperation. They will also be high on the agenda at the upcoming summit. During the summit, the leaders will look into the international and regional security situation, identify priorities and underlying risks and challenges, and explore ways to elevate and broaden security cooperation."

More than three thousand registered journalists will bring the summit to the world's attention, reporting on key issues such as security, economic development and people-to-people exchanges… The SCO expanded last year, from six permanent members to eight. With India and Pakistan now on board, the world is waiting to see what new opportunities they will bring to the bloc. 

ZHAO CHENG, REPORTER PEOPLE'S DAILY "This is the fourth time for the SCO Summit to be held in China. We are focusing on what new wisdom and proposals China will bring. This is also the first summit after SCO expansion. Therefore, we will also pay great attention to how the member countries will further enhance coordination and cooperation, in order to improve the influence and effectiveness of the group."

When the summit concludes on Sunday, the leaders are expected to release what's called the "Qingdao Declaration", essentially a summary of the advancements being made by the bloc, while it will also further promote the "Shanghai Spirit" — the set of values which underpins the ethos of the SCO, that of mutual trust, mutual benefit and equality.

ZOU YUN QINGDAO "The summit will be opened by Chinese president Xi Jinping. The guests will also attend a welcoming banquet and enjoy a fireworks display on Saturday night. It is expected the leaders will receive a new sail from the sailing host city, Qingdao and enter a new era of cooperation and development. ZY, CGTN, Qingdao, Shandong Province."