On 24 June 2019, during his visit to the city of Kunming in China's Yunnan Province, SCO Secretary-General Vladimir Norov met with Kunming's Party Secretary Cheng Lianyuan.
The officials held a deep exchange of opinions concerning the geographic and climatic advantages as well as the economic and tourism potential of the city of Kunming and the Yunnan Province.
Party Secretary Cheng Lianyuan made note of the city's historical ties with the SCO countries, in particular, with Central Asia. "The history of the relationship between Kunming and the SCO member states goes back to ancient times," he said. "In the 12th century, a native of Bukhara by the name of Sayyid Ajall Shams al-Din became the governor of the Yunnan Province and played an essential role in its development. His efforts allowed for creating an irrigation system, developing agriculture and establishing the local financial system. Kunming residents fondly remember him to this day."
"Kunming is interested in the further development and strengthening of the SCO and is ready to make its own contribution through implementing joint projects with the SCO member states. Especially given that the Belt and Road Initiative is paving the way for direct contacts between Chinese regions and foreign countries," the Party Secretary said.
He also emphasised that the SCO Kunming Marathon became one of the biggest cultural events that annually brings together sports enthusiasts from various continents and contributes to strengthening the SCO image.
The SCO Secretary-General expressed his gratitude to Mr Cheng Lianyuan for the warm welcome and the city's efforts to promote interaction with the SCO.
"The SCO Kunming Marathon is an important and promising project," Norov said. "It is noteworthy that this year, the SCO Marathon has gone beyond China's borders. Within the framework of its presidency, the Kyrgyz Republic held the SCO Issyk-Kul Marathon in May, in which runners from 27 countries took part."
In the Joint Declaration adopted following the SCO Summit in Bishkek, heads of the SCO member states expressed the need to host similar marathons on a regular basis in order to promote friendship and mutual understanding between the peoples of the SCO countries, as well as the SCO's position in the international arena.
"Such support showed by our member states' leaders means we must work as hard as possible to successfully host the SCO Kunming Marathon in December 2019," Norov said.
He also commended the activities of Kunming University's SCO-China Centre for Youth Exchanges, and took note of its great potential.
The Secretary-General also spoke about the recent SCO Day celebrations as well as the presentation of the Eight Wonders of the SCO project, which is aimed at promoting the SCO member states' tourism potential.
Given that in November, Kunming will host the CITM China International Travel Mart, the largest tourist fair in Asia, Norov suggested setting up an SCO pavilion presenting the Eight Wonders of the SCO.
Party Secretary Cheng Lianyuan approved of the suggestions concerning the SCO-China Centre for Youth Exchanges and the Secretariat's participation at the tourist fair.
The meeting was held in a friendly atmosphere.
The officials held a deep exchange of opinions concerning the geographic and climatic advantages as well as the economic and tourism potential of the city of Kunming and the Yunnan Province.
Party Secretary Cheng Lianyuan made note of the city's historical ties with the SCO countries, in particular, with Central Asia. "The history of the relationship between Kunming and the SCO member states goes back to ancient times," he said. "In the 12th century, a native of Bukhara by the name of Sayyid Ajall Shams al-Din became the governor of the Yunnan Province and played an essential role in its development. His efforts allowed for creating an irrigation system, developing agriculture and establishing the local financial system. Kunming residents fondly remember him to this day."
"Kunming is interested in the further development and strengthening of the SCO and is ready to make its own contribution through implementing joint projects with the SCO member states. Especially given that the Belt and Road Initiative is paving the way for direct contacts between Chinese regions and foreign countries," the Party Secretary said.
He also emphasised that the SCO Kunming Marathon became one of the biggest cultural events that annually brings together sports enthusiasts from various continents and contributes to strengthening the SCO image.
The SCO Secretary-General expressed his gratitude to Mr Cheng Lianyuan for the warm welcome and the city's efforts to promote interaction with the SCO.
"The SCO Kunming Marathon is an important and promising project," Norov said. "It is noteworthy that this year, the SCO Marathon has gone beyond China's borders. Within the framework of its presidency, the Kyrgyz Republic held the SCO Issyk-Kul Marathon in May, in which runners from 27 countries took part."
In the Joint Declaration adopted following the SCO Summit in Bishkek, heads of the SCO member states expressed the need to host similar marathons on a regular basis in order to promote friendship and mutual understanding between the peoples of the SCO countries, as well as the SCO's position in the international arena.
"Such support showed by our member states' leaders means we must work as hard as possible to successfully host the SCO Kunming Marathon in December 2019," Norov said.
He also commended the activities of Kunming University's SCO-China Centre for Youth Exchanges, and took note of its great potential.
The Secretary-General also spoke about the recent SCO Day celebrations as well as the presentation of the Eight Wonders of the SCO project, which is aimed at promoting the SCO member states' tourism potential.
Given that in November, Kunming will host the CITM China International Travel Mart, the largest tourist fair in Asia, Norov suggested setting up an SCO pavilion presenting the Eight Wonders of the SCO.
Party Secretary Cheng Lianyuan approved of the suggestions concerning the SCO-China Centre for Youth Exchanges and the Secretariat's participation at the tourist fair.
The meeting was held in a friendly atmosphere.