The recently concluded Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in China drew favorable attention from a number of officials. One is the former vice premier of Belarus, Anatoly Tozik, now a political scholar. He says the meeting went beyond theories and concepts. Tozik said the summit outlined a roadmap for action. He shared these thoughts and more with CGTN's Wang Xuan.

ANATOLY TOZIK FORMER VICE PREMIER OF BELARUS "These decisions from the last SCO Summit on the global issues and on the latest pressing issues in today's world were made during Qingdao Summit in the report of the Chairman of People's Republic of China and in speeches of other leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. There was a lot being said against protectionism and the decision was made to take additional measures to fight against trade protectionism and to improve the system of trade relationship between countries. All countries, members of SCO, declared that all of them are allies of open, fair, just and mutually beneficial trade. This is the only way for all countries' successful development, whereas the protectionism is a path to a dead end."

Tozik spoke highly of Xi's call to push forward with the "Shanghai Spirit" to overcome difficulties, reduce risks and meet challenges. He and other scholars believe a set of fundamental principles that encompass mutual trust, equality and consultation, is not only positive, but also pragmatic.

ANATOLY TOZIK FORMER VICE PREMIER OF BELARUS "Shanghai spirit it is a search for common solution via negotiations and listening of each other. I would say, Shanghai spirit it is gaining mutual success while reserving diversity, that is what in my opinion Shanghai spirit is. It is completely in line with the interest of human kind. I wish the SCO will expand step by step, phase by phase slowly to attract new members, to spread the Shanghai spirit in the world."

It was a view shared by other scholars and officials who argued protectionist and unilateral political approaches can disrupt regional and international order and can lead to conflicts. They say SCO leaders are pushing for cooperation.

ANATOLY TOZIK FORMER VICE PREMIER OF BELARUS "In order to get out of this crisis we need a new model of the world order. I am even more convinced today after the Summit that there is a new emerging model of human relations under the framework of SCO that can be taken to guide humanity out of the deep systemic crisis. Qingdao Summit united its participants together even more to resolve the common challenges."

Wang Xuan, CGTN, Minsk.