SCO Secretary-General receives Vice President of China Association of Trade in Services

On 23 December at the SCO Secretariat, SCO Secretary-General Vladimir Norov met with Zhong Zeyou, Vice President and Secretary-General of the China Association of Trade in Services.

The SCO Secretary-General informed the delegation about the history of the SCO's establishment and activity as well as about adopted documents and the recent SCO Heads of State Council Meeting and the SCO Heads of Government Council Meeting.

It was noted that the Organisation's priorities include the digital economy and developing e-commerce between the SCO countries. "The pandemic has slowed down the countries' economic growth; however, the digital economy has had a positive effect and helped many countries avoid more destructive consequences. The aftermath of COVID-19 will still haunt us for a long time but developing the digital economy and building the necessary ecosystem for e-commerce is one of the remedies," said Vladimir Norov.

The Secretary-General stressed that the global spread of the coronavirus highlighted the important role of electronic commerce in social and economic activity. In particular, e-commerce was indispensable in China's efforts to counter the epidemic, resume production and alleviate poverty.

Vladimir Norov further noted that the heads of SCO states acknowledged the importance of promoting modern information and communications technologies that offer new advantages and opportunities for the development of all human beings: "The SCO is against discriminatory measures, under any pretext, which hinder the development of the digital economy and communications technologies."

The SCO Secretary-General also emphasised that it was necessary to develop, under the aegis of the UN, universal rules, principles and norms of responsible conduct in the information space for countries in order to facilitate the development of the digital economy and ICT and to prevent their use for purposes incompatible with the support of international peace, security and stability.

"SCO member states have confirmed their intention to actively engage in this area and coordinate their efforts at international platforms, including with a view to ensuring information security across the SCO," Vladimir Norov said.

For his part, Zhong Zeyou thanked the Secretary-General for the meeting and the in-depth report on current activity. He noted that in the current economic situation, e-commerce and trade in services have become important aspects of the global economy.

He added that the China Association of Trade in Services has always seen an important partner in the SCO, which has manifested itself in efficient and fruitful cooperation with the SCO countries and the Secretariat over the past years.

Association representatives announced that they were ready to submit their specific proposals shortly for consideration of the SCO Secretariat.