On June 15, 2026, a grand reception was held in Beijing to mark the 25th anniversary of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.
Speaking as the guest of honor, Wang Yi, Member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, noted that “...over the past 25 years the SCO member states have upheld equality and justice by fighting terrorism, separatism, and extremism, fending off external interferences, safeguarding the international rule of law, and advocating the political settlement of conflicts and disputes, all of which contributed to shaping a more just and equitable international order.”
The Minister reaffirmed the People’s Republic of China’s commitment to a path of high-quality development. Regarding the SCO as one of the priorities in building relations with neighboring countries, China stands ready to share opportunities with SCO countries for cooperation and mutual benefit.
On behalf of the Chinese government, Wang Yi extended warm congratulations to the Secretary-General and ambassadors of SCO member states and expressed gratitude to friends from various countries who have paid attention to and supported the development of the SCO.
In his welcoming speech, SCO Secretary-General Nurlan Yermekbayev noted that the 25th anniversary of the SCO is a milestone symbolizing decades of dedicated work and a shared future-oriented vision of the Organisation’s member states, which has evolved from the “Shanghai Five” into the world’s largest transregional organisation. The Secretary-General emphasized the unwavering commitment to the SCO’s guiding principles, based on the “Shanghai Spirit,” which enables member states to find consensus and move forward in a spirit of mutual trust and respect.
Speaking about achievements and prospects, Nurlan Yermekbayev stressed that the joint efforts of member states have contributed to economic growth, social progress, and enhanced security. The SCO Development Strategy for the next decade, adopted in 2025, sets ambitious yet realistic goals aimed at increasing the practical returns of cooperation. The Secretary-General expressed gratitude to the leadership of member states, his predecessors as Secretary-General, the peoples of SCO countries, and the teams of the SCO’s main permanent bodies — the Secretariat and the Executive Committee of the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure — for their collective contribution to the Organisation’s development.
During the reception, the Chinese Foreign Minister and the SCO Secretary-General exchanged views on current items on the Organization’s agenda, including matters related to the preparations for upcoming high-level and summit-level meetings scheduled for this year under the chairmanship of the Kyrgyz Republic.
The event was attended by numerous distinguished guests, including heads of diplomatic missions from SCO member states, observer states, and dialogue partners, senior officials from Chinese government bodies, representatives of international organizations, businesses, civil society, the expert community, as well as Chinese and foreign media.
On the sidelines of the reception, a photo exhibition developed in cooperation with the Xinhua News Agency was displayed, highlighting the history of the Organization’s development with a focus on the outcomes of practical cooperation, along with a presentation of the Yangling SCO Demonstration Base for Agricultural Technology Exchange and Training. Guests were also treated to a cultural program featuring a performance by a children’s art ensemble and a showcase of Chinese robotics capabilities.
