On 29 August 2018, the SCO Headquarters held its traditional Open Doors Day. This time, invitations went to students from Qingdao who won various school competitions related to the SCO.
SCO Secretary-General Rashid Alimov welcomed the talented and gifted children. "You have come from a city that hosted a historic meeting of SCO heads of state and government. This means that you have brought with you the spirit of the Summit that signals a new era for our organisation. At the Summit, special attention was paid to the younger generation, which will determine the SCO's future. When I see you, knowing about your achievements, I have every reason to believe that the SCO has a bright future ahead," Mr Alimov said.
An improvised concert was held in the hall at the SCO Headquarters, offering students an opportunity to show off their talents, including a masterly performance on a national musical instrument, an excerpt from a Beijing opera, and also sang the song You and I.
SCO Deputy Secretary-General Xie Xiaoyong showed the visitors the SCO Secretariat, offering an insight into the SCO history and the Shanghai Spirit.
SCO Open Doors Days are a cycle of events launched in 2016 in order to enable school and university students from SCO member countries to visit the organisation's Headquarters.