Premier Li Keqiang headed the 14th meeting of the Prime Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Zhengzhou, Henan province, on Dec 15.
Premier Li started an in-depth discussion with the leaders about the new thinking and methods to tackle external risks and challenges and push for common development and prosperity.
Attending leaders and officials included Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev, Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Karim Massimov, Prime Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic Temir Sariyev, Prime Minister of the Republic of Tajikistan Kokhir Rasulzoda, and First Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan Azimov Rustam Sadikovich.
The Premier said SCO “has undergone an extraordinary experience”, consistently honoring the principles of equality, mutual trust, cooperation and win-win, and it has made an important contribution to boosting the well-being of its member states and safeguarding regional stability.
In July, President Xi Jinping attended a summit in Ufa, Russia, and, along with other leaders, approved the SCO Development Strategy until 2025. They charted the course for mid- and long-term cooperation, the membership expanding process was officially initiated and the organization itself entered a new phase of development, Premier Li said.
Premier Li noted that currently, the world economy lacks drivers for growth, many countries are faced with downward pressure from their economy, international and regional situations are witnessing increased complexities, new geopolitical crisis are being brewed, and the international community needs to address unprecedented global challenges.
As member states of SCO are located at the juncture of Eurasia, whether the region can achieve long-term tranquility “matters to the very interests and well-being of the people of various countries in the region and imposes profound influence upon the peace, stability, prosperity and development of the world,” Premier Li said.