On 13 November 2021, an international culture and tourism exhibition opened as part of the Eight Wonders of the SCO project at the Tieshan municipal complex in the heart of the second largest city in Anhui Province, Wuhu (Chinese: 芜湖).
The event is dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the SCO, as well as the year of SCO culture announced during the Moscow meeting of the SCO Heads of State Council in 2020. The exhibition is organised by Development of Culture and Tourism Industry LLC at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and supported by the People's Government of the city of Wuhu and the SCO Secretariat.
The display highlights national landmarks and sights that each of the member states has decided to designate as a national "wonder." So India chose its famous Statue of Unity as a unique landmark worthy of the attention of the SCO peoples and the world; Kazakhstan named its Tamgaly Archaeological Complex; China, the ruins of the Daming Imperial Palace; Kyrgyzstan, Lake Issyk-Kul; Pakistan, its Mughal Heritage sites in Lahore; Russia, the Golden Ring cities; Tajikistan, Navruz Palace; and Uzbekistan, Poi Kalan architectural complex.
SCO Deputy Secretary-General Sherali Jonon, who presided over the opening ceremony, addressed the participants and organisers, also conveying a welcoming message from SCO Secretary-General Vladimir Norov. The message emphasised the importance of tourism development as one of the key tools for cultural exchange and dialogue across the SCO.
"Tourism plays an extremely important role in the rapprochement of our peoples because it makes one acknowledge the diversity of cultures and at the same time feel a close affinity between the SCO peoples, appreciate the hospitality of Central Asian cities, China's ancient philosophy, colourful holidays in India, the oriental flavour in Pakistan, and Russia's boundless beautiful landscapes, as well as innumerable natural sights, dishes, outfits and traditions of the SCO region," the message says.
After the grand opening, Mr Jonon took the city administration and guests on a tour of the exhibits, giving a detailed description of the history of the project and each of the Eight Wonders of the SCO member states.
The exhibition will run from 12 to 21 November; it is free and open to anyone who wants to appreciate the heritage of the SCO peoples.
The Eight Wonders of the SCO project was announced by the SCO Secretariat in 2019. It involves a series of presentations of the SCO member states' tourism potential. The presentations have taken place in all SCO countries and other countries in the Belt and Road area. An exhibition was held in Helsinki, the capital of Finland, in September 2019.