A friendship night for the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the People's Republic of China was held at the SCO Secretariat on 20 September 2019. The event's theme was Long Live the Shanghai Spirit and the Unity of the SCO Family Countries: East China Grape Wine Tasting.
SCO Secretary-General Vladimir Norov noted that the art of making grape wine has been known in China since olden times. It was in the Nanwang Grape Valley in the Shandong Province that a local wild grape was interbred with exotic grape varieties imported from western regions and Central Asia. The resulting fruit, or berry, was known as the Grape of the Great Mother, which closely connects them to the fruit of immortality grown on the mountain of creation.
The history of relations between China and the people of Central Asia and other SCO countries dates back thousands of years. The Tang dynasty (7th-9th centuries AD) was a peak period for the development of cross-cultural ties among Eurasian nations. In that period, trade flourished along the Great Silk Road, and grape wines were listed among the best-selling items.
Wine trade along the Silk Road boosted the knowledge of wine production and consumption in the West and China, which also influenced the development and mutual enrichment of their culture and arts.
It appears that the modern Huadong dry wine made from grapes grown in the north of Shandong has a delicate bouquet that is easily comparable to the fragrant flavour of the southern Lanling wine famous since Middle Ages.
The SCO Secretary-General pointed out that the ongoing revival of the Great Silk Road was catalysed by China's Belt and Road Initiative, which has rallied Eurasian nations in the development of a new worldwide economic community.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation is a good platform for aligning the Belt and Road Initiative with the national economic development strategies of the SCO countries. It is also working to promote the implementation of all projects launched within the framework of that initiative.
A recent initiative advanced by President of China Xi Jinping to create a China-SCO pilot zone in Qingdao will help to promote and expand cooperation between the SCO member states. The operations of the Qingdao Beverage Group, that the SCO started cooperating with in 2017, can be seen as the starting point and a positive example of this cooperation. Since then, the group has provided assistance to many SCO events aimed at promoting political, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian cooperation.
SCO Secretary-General Vladimir Norov thanked the Qingdao Beverage Group for its cooperation and for assistance in the organisation of the friendship night.
In conclusion, Vladimir Norov congratulated the audience on the upcoming celebrations of the 70th anniversary of the People's Republic of China. He noted
that over the past 70 years China had achieved striking results in politics, the economy and culture and had taken centre stage in global politics and the economy.
"China is now a recognised leader and one of the main drivers of global economic development. It has acquired an undisputed international reputation and strategic importance in international affairs. China in the 21st century is an example of a socially-centred state committed to the welfare of ordinary people," the SCO Secretary-General noted. He wished the Chinese people prosperity, wellbeing and success in building Great China.
Mr Wang Wei, President of the Qingdao Charity Association, pointed out that the Qingdao Beverage Group is a large state-owned company that is known for two famous brands that have been on the market for 100 years — Laoshan mineral water and Qingdao wine.
The company had the honour to supply its wonderful drinks at the SCO Summit in Qingdao in June 2018.
"Focused on the production of mineral water and wine, the group has been working to create a top quality collection of mineral waters and brand wines and is also promoting international brands and the development of related sectors in agriculture, e-commerce and tourism," Mr Wang Wei said.
The event programme included a concert and a photo exhibit on the establishment, development and current achievements of the Qingdao Beverage Group.
Taking part in the friendship night were heads of diplomatic missions, SCO country national coordinators and permanent representatives of the SCO states at the SCO Secretariat, as well as delegates from the creative, academic and business quarters of China. Former SCO Secretary-General Rashid Alimov was a guest of honour.