‘Shanghai Spirit’ basis of SCO success

The “Shanghai Spirit” is the most valuable asset in the 17-year history of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, said former Kyrgyz prime minister Djoomart Otorbaev.

Otorbaev made the remarks at a symposium themed “The synergy of SCO and Belt and Road Initiative” on Wednesday in Beijing.

Since the SCO was founded in 2001, a special atmosphere called the “Shanghai Spirit” was created, the veteran politician said, adding that the most important core of the spirit is the trust that exists between member states.

The “Shanghai Spirit”, as the founding value of the SCO, features mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for cultural diversity and pursuit of common development.

Since its establishment, the SCO has been a crucial platform for stakeholders to strengthen security cooperation and combat terrorism, separatism and extremism.

And now the organization is focusing more and more on economic cooperation, Otorbaev said, adding that it is the “Shanghai Spirit” that guides all member states to share perspectives, coordinate positions and develop practical and concrete cooperation.

More than 60 percent of the Eurasian landmass is represented by the SCO, encompassing over 3 billion people, which is nearly half of the world’s population. He said the SCO’s inclusiveness has made more countries want to join the organization.

Kyrgyzstan attaches great importance to the implementation of projects within the framework of the SCO, including the development of regional transport infrastructure corridors, Otorbaev said, noting that improving interconnectivity is an important way to enhance communication and share development.

As all SCO members are located along the ancient Silk Road, Otorbaev suggested that the organization can synergize with the Belt and Road Initiative, so as to catalyze growth and integrate more economies. The “Shanghai Spirit” has offered a template for a new kind of cross-border cooperation, Otorbaev said.

The eight member states will continue to uphold this spirit — not only to ensure regional peace and stability, but also to boost regional and international economic growth, he added.