Chinese premier in Sochi for 1st meeting of expanded SCO
Print Edition
CHINESE Premier Li Keqiang arrived in the Russian city of Sochi yesterday morning for the 16th meeting of the Council of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Heads of Government (Prime Ministers).
The two-day meeting is the first of its kind after the organization’s membership expanded to include India and Pakistan.
Li was welcomed by senior Russian government officials and Chinese Ambassador to Russia Li Hui.
Since its founding in 2001, the SCO has become an important platform for maintaining regional safety and stability, and promoting common development and prosperity, Li said.
“I look forward to meeting relevant sides in Sochi, the pearl of the Black Sea. After the membership expansion, we will together review achievements, tap more potential, and from this new starting point, consistently push for cooperation in political, security, economic, people-to-people and cultural fields,” the premier said.
Li said he also expects to meet Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev in Sochi to boost bilateral ties and coordination within the SCO framework.
During the meeting, the Chinese premier will sign documents on cooperation with other leaders of SCO members. He is scheduled to hold multiple bilateral meetings and attend cultural events with Medvedev.
The SCO has China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India and Pakistan as full members. The organization also has four observer states — Iran, Afghanistan, Belarus and Mongolia; and six dialogue partners — Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Turkey.
The organization now covers three-fifths of Eurasia, and nearly half the world population.
Li will expound the principles and policies of major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics in the new era, and its significance to ties between China and SCO countries, said Assistant Foreign Minister Li Huilai.
China, which holds the first rotating presidency after the expansion, will work with other countries to promote Belt and Road construction, and reach new consensus on the alignment of development strategies, connectivity, industrial capacity cooperation and cultural exchanges, he said.
Before heading to Sochi, Li met Russian President Vladimir Putin. The two sides agreed to advance ties and strengthen all-round cooperation.
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