SCO 2018 Summit: What’s on this year’s agenda

China 24

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization annual summit takes place in China’s eastern port city of Qingdao. What issues top the agenda, and what can we expect from this meeting?

CGTN’s Zou Yun reports.

Gearing up for the summit, with security and public services already beefed up – Qingdao is ready to host the leaders of the eight SCO countries.

Chinese president Xi Jinping will open the summit with a keynote speech. Guests will also attend a welcoming banquet and enjoy a firework display on Saturday night.

The SCO expanded last year, from six permanent members to eight, with India and Pakistan now on board.

A new outlook is expected to be formed, as the leaders discuss new measures to improve security cooperation. They will also look to formulate a new strategy to boost regional cooperation.

“Drug trafficking and cyber-crimes are the priorities for cooperation,” Wang Yi, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister said. “During the summit, the leaders will look into the international and regional security situation, and explore ways to broaden security cooperation.”

When the summit concludes on Sunday, the leaders are expected to release what’s called the “Qingdao Declaration,” essentially a summary of the advancements being made by the bloc.


James Rae discusses what to expect from SCO 2018 Summit in Qingdao

CGTN’s Elaine Reyes spoke with James Rae, Fulbright Visiting Scholar at Beijing Foreign Studies University about what to expect from Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s first annual summit after India and Pakistan joined the regional bloc.