Xi Jinping to attend virtual summit of SCO Heads of State Council (File)
Beijing:
Chinese President Xi Jinping will participate in the virtual summit of the Council of SCO heads of state and present his proposals to consolidate solidarity, mutual trust, strengthen multilateralism and promote the group’s steady development in the post-COVID era -19.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) video-linked summit will be hosted by Russia, which will also host a virtual summit of leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China and Africa South (BRICS) on November 17.
Speaking to a special press briefing in Beijing on Thursday on Xi’s presence at the SCO summit, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Le Yucheng said the Chinese president will discuss new approaches with other leaders and measures to address risks and challenges, and promote security, stability and development.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to attend the virtual summit on November 10, the first multilateral meeting that Modi and Xi have attended since the border standoff in eastern Ladakh began in May.
The ruled out bilateral meetings during the summit because it is a virtual summit and was hoping for the resumption of face-to-face meetings in the post-COVID-19 phase.
He said Xi would present proposals at the summit to consolidate solidarity and mutual trust, deepen cooperation in all fields, strengthen multilateralism and healthy and steady development of the SCO in the post-pandemic era.
“Since the start of the year, we have seen COVID-19 impact countries in the region and beyond. This is a common threat and challenge. SCO countries will strengthen solidarity and coordination, including policy coordination, take effective measures for joint efforts to promote regional security and development, ”Le said.
The SCO will also strive to deepen political and security cooperation on issues of paramount concern, and the SCO countries support each other and firmly oppose external interference in the internal affairs of countries. members, he said.
On the fight against three forces of terrorism, separatism and religious extremism, the fight against narcotics and information security, member countries will continue to coordinate their positions, take joint action and guarantee regional peace and stability, he said.
In the post-pandemic phase, SCO countries will explore effective ways to restart economic activities, ensure stable performance of supply and production chains, Le added.
The meeting will be held against the backdrop of the stalemate in the border standoff between India and China in eastern Ladakh, which has affected relations between the two neighboring countries.
The China-dominated SCO is a regional grouping of eight countries that represents about 42% of the world‘s population and 20% of global GDP.
China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are the founding members of the SCO.
India and Pakistan were admitted to the Beijing-based consortium in 2017.
India will host the virtual meeting of SCO heads of government on November 30 in which Chinese Premier Li Keqiang is expected to attend.
