Beijing, 26 November 2021 (TDI): Chinese Premier Li Keqiang attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s (SCO) meeting of the heads of the government virtually.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang attended the SCO Meeting of the Heads of Government Council (HGC) on Thursday, 25 November 2021. HGC meets once a year. It aims to discuss and promote multilateral cooperation in the member states. HGC also provides the multilateral organizational’s cooperation strategy and highlights the key areas for the cooperation.
20TH HGC meeting
Li emphasized in the 20th HGC meeting that China is committed to working with the SCO member states to strengthen the mutual trust and deepen cooperation to enhance peace and prosperity of the region. He stated that since its founding, SCO has played an important role in strengthening regional security.
The Chinese Premier urged the member states to enhance their cooperation to implement the SCO legal instruments on the Program on Cooperation in Combating Terrorism, Separatism, Extremism, and the Convention on Combating Extremism. He stated that the member states should strengthen their collaboration in countering terrorism.
Li talked about boosting cooperation between the member states in the pandemic to enhance public health. Due to the pandemic, the member states need to aggravate their cooperation on research and development in vaccines production.
He stated that the cooperation between the SCO member states will be a win-win cooperation. Therefore, the member states should work to increase their cooperation in trade and investment. They should get benefit from the geographical advantages, he added.
Chinese Premier also highlighted environmental protection. He stated that climate change is an unprecedented challenge to the prosperity of the world. No one can be safe from its catastrophic effects until everyone is safe. Thus it demands the cooperation of the states to counter with it. He urged the SCO member states to achieve carbon neutrality as soon as possible. He stated that the member states should work together to promote green and sustainable development.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang ended his speech with the Chinese proverb which stated that success demands actions, commitment, and dedication. China will host the upcoming 21st Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the SCO member states.
About SCO
SCO member states are celebrating this year the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the SCO. SCO is an intergovernmental organization formed on 15 June 2001. It contains eight permanent member states which are Russia, China, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, India, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan. It also has four Observer states which are Afghanistan, Iran, Mongolia, and Belarus. While it also has six dialogue partners which comprise Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Turkey. This year Iranian accession to the SCO was announced which will be completed after its process.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization has played an important role in strengthening mutual trust between the member states. It has also enhanced cooperation between the member states. It has played an essential role in maintaining regional peace and security.
