On July 4, the 24th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO was held in Astana, Kazakhstan. Qingdao in East China's Shandong province was designated as the tourism and cultural capital of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) for 2024 to 2025, aiming to tap into the tourism cooperation potential within the region and further strengthening cultural cooperation, according to the Astana Declaration issued by leaders of the SCO member states. On the same day, as said by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the “Shanghai Cooperation Organization Plus” Meeting in Astana, “China will hold a green development forum and a women’s forum in Qingdao, the tourism and cultural capital of the SCO. We welcome all parties to take an active part in these events.”

Tourism and culture are important areas of cooperation within the SCO framework. As a fertile ground for diverse civilizations, SCO countries possess nearly 150 world natural and historical cultural heritage sites and account for over 40 percent of the global population, providing infinite possibilities for the development of the cultural tourism industry. Shouldering the heavy national responsibility of building the SCO Demonstration Area, Qingdao has established friendship ties with 15 cities in 12 SCO member states. Over recent years, Qingdao has stepped up cultural and tourism communication with the SCO member states, and signed the Initiative on Mechanism of Cooperation between Tourism Cities in the SCO Member States with 11 cities and regions in 7 SCO member states.

A green development forum sponsored by the SCO will be held in Qingdao from July 8 to July 9. A women’s forum organized by the SCO will take place in the SCODA in the second half of 2024. In addition, a range of events including the SCO International Investment and Trade Expo, the SCO Industrial and Supply Chains Forum, the “SCO Summer” event and the Chinese Calligraphy Contest for SCO Member States will be held in Qingdao this year, aiming to further build cooperation consensus between SCO member states.  (Wang Meng)

The Qingdao SCODA Pearl International Expo Center.