On 3 June 2018, SCO Secretary-General Rashid Alimov held a meeting with representatives of the leading Chinese media at the SCO Headquarters in Beijing.
The meeting was attended by Xinhua News Agency, the main China Central Television channels, Renmin Ribao newspaper, China Radio International, the China News Service, China magazine, Phoenix TV Channel (PTV), Global Times, Phoenix magazine and 21 Century Business Herald.
During the conversation, which lasted for two hours, Mr Alimov answered numerous questions from journalists on the SCO's practical activities, work principles, priority areas for cooperation and prospects for the further development of the Organisation in the new format.
"The member states attach great importance to promoting good-neighbourliness and friendship as well as strengthening multifaceted and mutually beneficial cooperation within the Organisation. The SCO has been established for the people and their common prosperity, something that is going to be reaffirmed by the upcoming summit in Qingdao. Since India and Pakistan joined the SCO, it has become global. We are witnessing important processes related to the crystallisation of a new form of the Organisation that is based on mutual trust, in-depth cultural and civilisational dialogue and the ambition to develop and prosper together," Mr Alimov noted.
Speaking about the upcoming SCO Summit (9-10 June 2018, Qingdao), the Secretary-General stressed that the "SCO member states' leaders will meet in the "Eurasian G8" format to determine the new trajectory of the Organisation's further development taking into account significant changes in the system of international relations and increased global threats and challenges."
Following the meeting, Mr Alimov also gave an extensive exclusive interview to China Central Television.