Strengthen 'Shanghai Spirit'

The SCO has come a long way in 10 years and the Astana summit will set out strategic plans for the journey ahead

On June 15, a summit meeting commemorating the 10th anniversary of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) will be held in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan. The presidents of China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan will join together to discuss major issues concerning the development of the SCO. This is a historic meeting, as the leaders will review the SCO's journey over the past 10 years and draw up a blueprint for its future development. It will leave an indelible imprint in the annals of the SCO.

Ten years ago, the international political and economic order was on the eve of profound adjustment. Terrorist, extremist and separatist forces became the biggest menace to regional security and stability. Countries in the region shared a growing desire to enhance mutual trust, carry out mutually beneficial cooperation and address challenges through joint efforts. It was against this background that the SCO came into being.