Belt and Road Initiative is boost to SCO

With China holding the rotating chair of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization this year, the regional group can take advantage of the Belt and Road Initiative to boost interconnectivity and catalyze member states' economic growth, veteran officials said.

These senior political advisers made the observation at a symposium late Wednesday that reviewed a report about the SCO compiled by the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies at Renmin University of China.

The report said the eight members can use this weekend's Qingdao summit to promote mutual understanding and communication in areas ranging from politics, economics and culture so they can unleash more potential for shared growth.