On April 21, 2017 local time, Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended the meeting of Foreign Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states in Astana.
Wang Yi said in his remarks that this year marks the 15th anniversary of the signing of the SCO Charter, the 10th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty on Long-term Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation of the SCO Member States as well as the 5th anniversary of the entry into force of the Treaty. The Charter and the Treaty mainly embody the “Shanghai Spirit” of equal treatment, win-win cooperation, openness and inclusiveness. As the cornerstone of thought and guide to actions for the organization, the Charter and the Treaty develop a brand-new model of international relations. Since its founding, the SCO has always maintained a momentum of vigorous growth and effectively safeguarded security and development interests of the member states, showing a unique strategic value. The SCO will achieve its first enlargement after accepting India and Pakistan, and become a regional international organization with the biggest size, largest population and greatest potentials in the world.
Wang Yi said that the SCO faces new opportunities and challenges at a new starting point. The member states should follow the “Shanghai Spirit” and comprehensively promote cooperation in various fields such as politics, security, economy as well as people-to-people and cultural engagement, and ensure that the SCO is always the strong guarantee and reliable support for the member states to jointly maintain stability and achieve common development.
Wang Yi proposed the following suggestions on the priorities of the SCO’s cooperation development after the enlargement:
First, stick to unity and cooperation and firmly support each other. Mutual trust is the political foundation of the organization’s sound development as well as the source of strength to deal with threats and challenges. China is willing to work with all sides to further foster a sense of the community of shared destiny, continuously support each other in maintaining national core interests and realizing development and revitalization, follow the development path suitable to its national conditions and handle each other’s own affairs well.
Second, cope with risk and challenges to maintain long-term stability and peace. Nowadays, links are strengthened between the “three evil forces” of the region such as the “East Turkestan Islamic Movement” and international terrorist forces such as the “Islamic State”. “Preventing backflow and infiltration” is the common concern of all sides. It is suggested to strengthen the building of regional anti-terrorism institution, deepen cooperation in intelligence exchange, network supervision, joint law-enforcement, capacity building and other fields.
Third, promote practical cooperation for integrative development. China is committed to promoting the docking between the “Belt and Road” construction and regional cooperative initiatives such as the Eurasian Economic Union as well as member states’ development strategies such as Kazakhstan’s “Shining Path”. The SCO can play an important role in offering a platform. It is suggested to constantly improve facilitation and liberalization of regional trade and investment and launch a feasibility study on the SCO free trade area at the right timing.
Fourth, promote exchanges and mutual learning to consolidate the public opinion foundation. China is willing to increase investment in people-to-people and cultural exchanges with all sides so as to achieve the bright vision of mutual learning and understanding between the people. We should give the role of cooperation mechanisms into full play in fields such as culture, education, public health, science, technology, tourism, environmental protection and youth, and promote people-to-people and cultural exchanges to cover broader groups and more areas.
Fifth, promote organic integration of new and old members and achieve open and inclusive development. China supports the Astana Summit in granting India and Pakistan membership. This will inject positive energy into the SCO and the development of bilateral relations of relevant countries, and become a big event with major significance in the development history of the SCO. China supports strengthening exchanges and cooperation with observer states and dialogue partners and constantly improving cohesion of the “SCO family”.
Wang Yi said that China will take the rotating presidency after the Astana Summit and assume major responsibility. China expects that all sides raise precious suggestions. China is willing to cooperate closely with all sides to jointly implement the consensus reached by leaders of the member states and take efforts to promote the SCO for stability and development so as to benefit people of all countries.
In their remarks, other Foreign Ministers of the member states fully affirmed the important role and positive progress of the SCO in maintaining regional peace and stability and promoting development, and stated their stands on further strengthening cooperation under new circumstances. Foreign Ministers of the member states also signed cooperation documents prepared for the Astana Summit.