Urumqi, April 23rd—The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Political Parties Forum, under the theme "Carrying Forward the Shanghai Spirit and Advancing Sustainable Development of the SCO: Responsibilities and Missions of Political Parties" was held here today. The Forum was co-held by the International Department of the CPC Central Committee (IDCPC) and CPC Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Regional Committee. Emomali Rahmon, President of Tajikistan and Chair of the People's Democratic Party of Tajikistan (PDPT), sent a congratulatory letter to the Forum. Over 200 participants attended the Forum, including Nurlan Yermekbayev, SCO Secretary-General, Davankov Vladislav Andreyevich, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma of Russia, Mavluda Khujaeva, Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan, leaders of more than 60 political parties and political organizations from more than 20 countries, including SCO member states, SCO observer states and SCO dialogue partners, as well as some diplomatic envoys to China.  

Ma Xingrui, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Secretary of the CPC Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Regional Committee, said in his speech that under the guidance of the Shanghai Spirit, the SCO member states have continuously consolidated political mutual trust, enhanced good neighborliness and friendship, and jointly safeguarded regional security, creating a new cooperation model of solidarity, coordination, openness, win-win results, inclusiveness and mutual learning among countries with different social systems and development paths, as well as setting an example for building a new type of international relations. Political parties play an important role in the political life of a country. The Forum, under the theme of responsibilities and missions of political parties, will surely have a far-reaching impact on the deepening of exchanges and cooperation between the CPC and political parties of various countries, the building of a new type of relations between political parties, and the construction of an SCO community with a shared future. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Over the past 70 years, especially since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core, Xinjiang has achieved remarkable achievements in economic and social development, fully proving that the CPC is worthy of being the mainstay of leading the building a great country and rejuvenating the Chinese nation, and fully proving that the CPC's strategy for the governance of Xinjiang in the new era is a sure path to guide Xinjiang to move forward steadily. Xinjiang is actively building a "golden channel" between Asia and Europe as well as a bridgehead for China's westward opening up. We will take this Forum as an opportunity to strengthen security cooperation with other countries, expand economic and trade investment, and deepen people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and make Xinjiang's contributions to the high-level Belt and Road cooperation. 

Liu Jianchao, Minister of the IDCPC, expressed in his speech that in July 2024, President Xi Jinping proposed that SCO member states hold the SCO Political Parties Forum at the “Shanghai Cooperation Organization Plus” Meeting in Astana, which received positive responses and broad support from all parties. Today, political parties and political organizations of the "SCO family" gathered here to draw a new blueprint for unity and cooperation and building a better home. Since its establishment 24 years ago, the SCO has successfully explored a new path for the development of international organizations and contributed to peace, stability, development and prosperity in the region and the world. At present, changes unseen in a century are accelerating and the world has entered a new period of turbulence and change. The CPC is willing to work with the political parties and political organizations of the SCO countries to play the guiding role of policymaking and coordination, jointly build a new security model featuring sharing security, seeking common ground while reserving differences, and dialogue and consultation, and help build a SCO model for the Global Security Initiative; promote economy through the channel of political party, optimize and upgrade the "political party +" cooperation model, and help build an SCO model for the Global Development Initiative; advocate equality, mutual learning, dialogue and mutual accommodation among civilizations, advance the bonds among the peoples and facilitate mutual learning and inclusiveness among civilizations through the communication and coordination among political parties, and constantly enrich the "SCO practice" of the Global Civilization Initiative. China proposes institutionalizing the holding of the SCO Political Parties Forum, further consolidating the SCO political party partnership network, and jointly promoting the building of a closer SCO community with a shared future. 

Emomali Rahmon noted in his congratulatory letter that against the backdrop of increasing global tensions, frequent economic crises and prominent challenges of the times, our solidarity is essential to ensuring security and stability, promote economic development and improve people's living standards. All countries should work together to create favorable conditions for regional and international cooperation and expanding inter-party exchanges. Tajikistan firmly supports SCO member states in strengthening cooperation among political parties and achieving common development and progress. 

Yermekbayev said, international legal norms are being systematically undermined, geopolitical conflicts are rising, and protectionism and trade restrictions are causing economic turbulence. In this context, the SCO and its core principles are increasingly important in maintaining peace, security, and stability, as well as in building a more democratic and just multipolar world. The Forum brings together political parties from SCO member states to discuss the inheritance of the Shanghai Spirit and the sustainable development of the SCO, effectively fostering deeper consensus on the concept of a new type of international relations and facilitating mutual learning in the practice of state governance and administration. 

Davankov said, the world is undergoing profound and complex changes, with increasing international tensions and the emergence of new barriers. In this context, countries should not lose their development direction, but rather steadfastly move forward in accordance with their own interests and values. The SCO Political Parties Forum is beneficial in strengthening dialogue among various parties, deepening exchanges and mutual learning, and consolidating political mutual trust.  

Khujaeva said, over the past 24 years since its establishment, the SCO has firmly charted its own development path and has become an integral part of the modern international relations system. Under the current circumstances, adhering to the Shanghai Spirit is of great significance. Uzbekistan highly spoke of the work done by China during its tenure as the rotating presidency of the SCO and firmly supports the institutional building of the SCO Political Parties Forum.  

Representatives of political parties and political organizations from participating countries said, China has achieved remarkable development and made significant contributions to promoting world peace and development. Through the visits, we witnessed the strong economic and social development in Xinjiang and the happy and prosperous life of its people. The SCO Political Parties Forum hosted by China provides an important platform for deepening exchanges of experience in state governance and administration among political parties of all countries. 

The representatives said, in today's world, challenges such as climate change, poverty, and extremism transcend national boundaries. Addressing these challenges not only requires international cooperation but also the firm commitment of political institutions. As the cornerstone of democracy and the voice of the people, political parties must stand at the forefront of responding to these challenges. Political parties are not just mechanisms for electoral politics but are institutions that drive change. We must lead with foresight, collaborate with belief, and act with empathy. Political parties are key players in national governance and policymaking, bearing significant responsibilities for ensuring fairness, sharing development opportunities, and maintaining economic globalization. In today's world, political parties are not only governance institutions but also creators of peace, promoters of development, and guardians of social harmony, carrying humanity’s shared vision of a better future. Without the active participation of political parties, it is impossible to build a truly just international order or achieve lasting stability. The political parties of SCO member states should uphold the principle of mutual respect, strengthen exchanges, and share resources. Promoting exchanges among civilizations and drawing on the experiences of different civilizations for our own development is of great significance. Facilitating exchanges among young people and enhancing mutual understanding and comprehension will enable the younger generation to become the backbone in carrying forward the Shanghai Spirit. Through unity and collaboration, we can jointly address global challenges, build a universal security system, and promote global economic and social stability. 

Erkin Tuniyaz, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Regional Committee and Governor of the People's Government of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region; Zumret Obul, Chairperson of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region People's Congress Standing Committee; Nurlan Abilmazhinuly, Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region; He Zhongyou, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Regional Committee and Political Commissar of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps; Zhang Zhu, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Regional Committee and Secretary of CPC Urumqi Municipal Committee; Wang Jianxin, Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Regional Committee and Director of the Publicity Department of the CPC Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Regional Committee and others attended the event. The event was chaired by Chen Zhou, Vice-minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee.