SCO non-governmental friendship forum would become important platform to deepen friendship, Xi Jinping

Bishkek, June 3, 2021. / Kabar /. Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday sent a congratulatory letter to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) non-governmental friendship forum, which is held in Wuhan, Hubei Province of China.

The Chinese leader in his letter expressed hope that the forum will become an important platform for all parties to enhance mutual understanding, deepen friendship and strengthen cooperation.

"With the purpose of development of good-neighborhood of SCO countries I put forward the initiative of holding an SCO non-governmental friendship forum last November, which has received an enthusiastic response and active support from SCO member states," Xi said.

Xi Jinping also expressed hope that all parties will adhere to the Shanghai Spirit, stick to the original goals of the SCO, help and support each other and deepen cooperation. He stressed the need to give full play to the advantages of civil diplomacy and make positive contributions to the development of the SCO.

"We must use the advantages of non-governmental diplomacy and expand channels for people-to-people exchanges in order to make positive contributions to the development of the SCO," he said.

The SCO non-governmental friendship forum devoted to the 20th jubilee of the Organization was organized by the Good-neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation Commission of the SCO, the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, and Hubei Provincial People's Government.

The forum held online and offline with the participation of SCO Secretary General Vladimir Norov, ambassadors, experts, business representatives, scientists, journalists from SCO member states, observer countries and dialogue partners.

The participants of the froum have held in-depth discussions on topics such as think tank exchanges, sister city cooperation, health, rural development and poverty reduction, high-quality connectivity, and new media training.

The forum is resulted in signing the Wuhan Initiative of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Forum on People-to-People Friendship.