Beijing (TDI): The book “Stories of the SCO in the New Era” was launched on Tuesday in Beijing, bringing together diplomats, scholars, and entrepreneurs to highlight cooperation and people-to-people exchanges among Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states.
The book compiles 18 accounts of cooperation in fields such as science, technology, healthcare, education, sports, culture and tourism.
The launch took place ahead of the upcoming SCO Tianjin Summit, scheduled for August 31 to September 1, and featured remarks from senior officials, including Chen Bo, Secretary General of the Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy Studies Centre and President of the China Institute of International Studies, and Cui Chun, Chairman of the World Affairs Press.
Opening the event, Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Bin stressed the importance of storytelling in building understanding of the SCO’s mission.
He said that Cooperation across various fields within the SCO framework has flourished, with numerous inspiring stories of collaboration emerging. “Collecting and promoting these stories can enhance public awareness of the SCO, making it a valuable endeavor,” he said.
Liu Bin further pointed out that since the new era, SCO cooperation in various fields has flourished, and moving cooperation stories have continued to emerge. Collecting these stories and promoting them is conducive to enhancing public understanding and recognition of the SCO, he added.
“The publication of ‘The Story of the SCO in a New Era’ is timely and not only provides us with valuable cooperation experience, but also strengthens our confidence in the SCO’s win-win cooperation,” Liu Bin added.
“The SCO Summit will soon kick off in Tianjin. I believe that with the concerted efforts of all parties, the Tianjin Summit will become a friendly, united and fruitful event. The SCO will surely enter a new stage of high-quality development that is more united, collaborative, dynamic and productive, and contribute more SCO programs and stronger SCO forces to building a community with a shared future for mankind.”
SCO Deputy Secretary-General Ahmad Saidmurodzoda echoed this view, describing the book as a reflection of the organization’s commitment to mutual trust, regional stability, and lasting friendship. “The SCO is a dynamic organization, and since 2021, we have established a strong tradition of deepening cooperation in people-to-people exchanges,” he noted.
He added that “The SCO has achieved positive development during the Chinese presidency of the organization. The upcoming Tianjin Summit gives us a glimpse of China’s efforts to promote the ‘Shanghai Spirit,’ which have been highly appreciated. Next year would mark the twenty-fifth anniversary of the SCO, and it is necessary for the international community to understand its history, achievements and development prospects, as well as the benefits of cooperation within the SCO framework.”
Healthcare cooperation was another focus of the event. Hou Xianru, chief ophthalmologist at Peking University People’s Hospital, shared how his medical team has performed more than 1,500 free cataract surgeries in Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan since 2019. By the end of June this year, Chinese doctors had completed over 2,300 free eye surgeries across SCO member states, providing what Hou called “small, beautiful contributions that have genuinely benefited the local community.”
Chen Bo, Secretary General of the Xi Jinping Center for Foreign Affairs Studies and Dean of the China Institute of International Studies, remarked that “The SCO Story of the New Era” contains 18 vivid small stories of SCO countries carrying out mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields such as science and technology, people’s livelihood, health, education, sports, culture and travel.
“These stories illustrate the values of the times of the ‘Shanghai Spirit,’ and add a living and warm footnote to the SCO concept of a community with a shared future.”
Cui Chun, Chairman of World Knowledge Press Ltd, said that “World Knowledge is willing to use publishing as a bridge to translate the SCO’s concepts and practices into a narrative that is accessible to global readers, using exchange as a medium to deepen institutionalized cooperation with cultural publishing institutions in SCO countries.”
Pakistan’s Voice at the SCO
Speaking online, Farhat Asif Noor, President of the Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies, delivered a detailed address reflecting on her organization’s work to strengthen people-to-people connections under the SCO framework.
She described the SCO as “a beacon of hope in a world facing immense turbulence,” and praised China’s presidency of the organization over the past year, which included more than 100 events on themes ranging from trade and security to cultural exchanges.
Farhat highlighted initiatives such as the Pakistan-SCO Friendship Forum and the Centre for SCO Studies, established to deepen understanding of the organization through research, dialogue, and civil society engagement.
She also pointed to training programs like the International Young Diplomats School and women leadership platforms that aim to prepare the next generation to carry forward the inclusive spirit of the SCO.
“Diplomacy at its best is not only about power, but about people, about creating bonds of trust, respect, and solidarity that can withstand the challenges of our age,” she said.
Wider Participation
Other speakers included Ma Lianqi, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Tianjin Urban Construction Management & Vocational Technology College; Zuo Hongbo, Secretary-General of the SCO’s Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation Commission; and Van Svetlana, Head of the Russian Pavilion, The Qingdao SCODA Pearl International Expo Center.
The event was also virtually attended by Muhammad Asif Noor, Secretary General of Pakistan-SCO Friendship Forum.
The book, published in Chinese, Russian and English, aims to present the SCO’s achievements through the voices of ordinary citizens, professionals and community leaders. As its preface notes, the stories “vividly illustrate the tangible benefits that cooperation within the SCO framework has brought to the peoples of SCO countries.”
Liu Bin concluded by expressing hope that the book would help readers worldwide gain a deeper understanding of the SCO and contribute to carrying forward the “Shanghai Spirit.”
Farkhund Yousafzai is the Editor at The Diplomatic Insight.
