Li Keqiang Attends the 20th Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government (Prime Ministers) of the Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization

On the evening of November 25, 2021, Premier Li Keqiang of the State Council attended the 20th meeting of the Council of Heads of Government (Prime Ministers) of the Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in the Great Hall of the People. Ma Ming, Prime Minister of Kazakhstan presided over. The Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan Zaparov, the Prime Minister of Russia Mishustin, the Prime Minister of Tajikistan Rasulzoda, the Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Aripov, Pakistan, India and representatives of observer countries attended the meeting. The meeting was held by video.

Li Keqiang said in his speech that since its establishment 20 years ago, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization has upheld and promoted the “Shanghai Spirit”, which has effectively promoted regional security and stability and the common development of its member states. President Xi Jinping proposed to build a closer SCO community with a shared future. The current international and regional situation continues to undergo complex and profound changes. The new crown pneumonia epidemic is still fluctuating, the world economy is recovering tortuously, and the sustainable development of all countries is facing severe challenges. China is willing to work with all member states to enhance political mutual trust, deepen pragmatic cooperation, and work together to promote regional prosperity and stability. Li Keqiang made five suggestions:

The first is to build a strong security barrier to maintain the long-term stability of the region. Consolidate the basis for law enforcement and security cooperation, implement legal documents such as the outline for cooperation against the “three forces”, and strengthen cooperation in areas such as counter-terrorism, drug control, and information security.

The second is to work together to prevent and control the epidemic and strengthen public health governance. Make good use of the organization’s reporting system for major infectious diseases, strengthen vaccine and drug research and development cooperation, and improve the level of response to public health crises.

The third is to adhere to openness and win-win results to help the economic recovery of all countries. Adhere to the orientation of opening up, continuously improve the trade and investment environment, and enhance the scale and quality of trade. Strengthen energy policy coordination to ensure the safe and stable supply of regional energy. China is willing to expand imports of high-quality agricultural products from the SCO countries to promote a balanced and sustainable trade with each other.

The fourth is to promote interconnection and unblock regional economic cycles. Give full play to the geographical advantages of each member state, and promote the construction of transportation, energy, and communication networks. Better play the role of the existing “fast channel” and “green channel”, and promote the steady improvement of regional pragmatic cooperation.

Fifth, focus on people’s livelihood and well-being and promote green and sustainable development. According to the epidemic situation, personnel exchanges shall be resumed in a stable and orderly manner. Deepen cooperation in environmental protection, climate change, low-carbon economy and other fields, and strengthen cultural exchanges. China proposes the establishment of the SCO multilateral collaborative emergency information sharing system, and the establishment of an alliance of medical, law, and agricultural universities based on voluntary principles to continuously expand the breadth and depth of sustainable development cooperation.

Li Keqiang said that China will host the 21st meeting of the Council of Heads of Government (Prime Ministers) of the SCO member states next year, and looks forward to working with all parties to turn more consensus on cooperation into fruitful cooperation results, which will better benefit the region and the world. people.

Participants at the meeting positively commented on the cooperation achievements of the SCO in the fields of security, economy, trade, and humanities over the past 20 years since its establishment. They said that the SCO has become an important platform for all parties to carry out cooperation in the region and internationally. Under the current circumstances, all parties should strengthen vaccine and drug research and development cooperation, tap the potential for cooperation in the fields of economy and trade, production capacity, agriculture, interconnection, and infrastructure construction, expand cultural exchanges, and inject strong impetus into the economic recovery and development of member countries. It is necessary to jointly tackle climate change, increase the use of renewable energy, and promote member states to achieve a green transition. Strengthen cooperation in areas such as counter-terrorism, drug control, and network security to maintain regional peace and stability.

Li Keqiang and the leaders of participating member states signed and issued a joint communiqué, approving a number of cooperation documents and resolutions in the economic and trade fields of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

Xiao Jie and He Lifeng attended the meeting.