Speech by Li Keqiang at the 19th Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government (Prime Ministers) of the Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (full text)

　　Speech by Li Keqiang at the 19th Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government (Prime Ministers) of the Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (full text)

　　Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, November 30th

In

(November 30, 2020, Beijing)

　　Li Keqiang, Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China

　　Dear colleagues:

　　I am very happy to meet you all in the cloud to attend the 19th meeting of the Council of Prime Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Member States.

Thank the host for the work done for this meeting.

　　Since the outbreak of the new crown pneumonia, the member states of the SCO have carried forward the "Shanghai Spirit", joined hands in fighting the epidemic, and jointly maintained regional development and stability.

Not long ago, President Xi Jinping successfully attended the Council of Heads of State of the SCO Member States, and hopes that all parties will implement the results of the meeting, steadily advance various cooperation agendas, and actively create a new situation for the development of the SCO in the post-epidemic period.

　　At present, the world economy is facing the worst recession since the end of World War II. International trade and investment have shrunk sharply, and the circulation of the industrial chain and supply chain has been blocked.

At the same time, the trend of anti-globalization is on the rise, protectionism and unilateralism are on the rise, the global governance system and multilateral mechanisms are under attack, and the economic and social development of the international region is facing severe challenges.

　　Crisis brings challenges and opportunities.

In the 19 years since the establishment of the SCO, no matter how the international situation changes, it has always faced difficulties, worked hard to turn crises into opportunities, and maintained a healthy and stable development momentum.

As long as we strengthen our confidence and unite sincerely, we will be able to overcome the impact of the epidemic and other factors, continue to deepen cooperation in various fields, and achieve better development of the SCO.

I would like to make a few suggestions:

　　One is to focus on creating a safe and stable development environment.

At present, unstable and uncertain factors are increasing in the regional situation. We must work together to maintain regional peace and stability.

　　We must continue to carry out joint anti-terrorism exercises to strictly prevent the "three forces" from creating chaos through the epidemic.

Strengthen mechanism building, carry out de-radicalization cooperation, effectively respond to new threats and challenges such as cyber terrorism and biosecurity, and continuously expand the scope and depth of SCO law enforcement and security cooperation.

Prevent data security risks, promote the implementation of the Global Data Security Initiative, and jointly enhance data security governance capabilities.

Make full use of the "SCO-Afghanistan Liaison Group" platform to cooperate with Afghanistan, support the Afghan national reconciliation process, and help Afghanistan achieve stability and development at an early date.

　　The second is to focus on consolidating a solid foundation for integrated development.

Grasping the general direction of the world economy and persisting in integrated development is the only way to promote the economic recovery of countries in the region.

We must follow the directions set by the new version of the SCO Multilateral Economic and Trade Cooperation Program, give play to complementary advantages, enrich the content of cooperation, and promote economic recovery.

　　Not long ago, 15 countries, including China, jointly signed the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP), establishing a free trade zone with the largest population, the most diverse membership structure, and the greatest potential for development in the world. Development and prosperity add new momentum and will also become an important engine for global growth.

We must also fully rely on the SCO platform to enhance the level of trade and investment liberalization and facilitation in the region, and begin to establish institutional arrangements for the SCO regional economic cooperation.

Continue to deepen the joint construction of the "Belt and Road" initiative with national development strategies and regional cooperation initiatives, implement international road transport facilitation agreements between member governments, and promptly formulate road cooperation documents to promote high-quality regional connectivity.

Combining with the requirements for normalization of epidemic prevention and control, establish a network of regional "fast channel" and "green channel" to help countries resume work and production.

Continue to explore feasible plans for establishing the SCO Development Bank and activate the SCO financial cooperation.

Explore modern agricultural cooperation models, expand agricultural product trade, and ensure regional national food security.

China is willing to work with all parties to strengthen the docking of service trade development and share the growth results of service trade.

China will release the "China's Trade Index with SCO Member States" to accelerate the construction of China-SCO local economic and trade cooperation demonstration zones and SCO agricultural technology exchange and training demonstration bases, and promote the development of SCO's practical cooperation in an in-depth direction.

　　The third is to focus on the leading role of technological innovation.

The in-depth development of the new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial reforms shows the broad prospects of the world economy.

Only by finding a way out in innovation can we win the initiative in development and inject strong impetus into the economic revitalization of all countries.

　　It is necessary to improve the SCO mechanism for cooperation in technological innovation, and actively cultivate cooperation growth points in areas such as smart cities, artificial intelligence, and big data.

Make good use of the online economy spawned by the epidemic, promote the integrated development of the digital economy and the real economy, and create new industries and new formats.

Effectively implement the intellectual property cooperation documents of member states, protect and encourage innovation and development, and let the source of innovation flow fully.

Strive to break down barriers that hinder the flow of innovative elements and create an open, cooperative, and non-discriminatory business environment for companies from all over the world.

China is preparing to build a China-SCO Technology Transfer Center, and will also host the second Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition of Member States, and is willing to work with all parties to build a SCO environmental information sharing platform and work together to promote high-quality economic development and "green recovery." .

　　The fourth is to focus on practicing the people-oriented concept of cooperation.

Improving and protecting people's livelihood is a priority task of regional countries.

We must focus on the outstanding shortcomings and weaknesses in the field of people's livelihood, and actively carry out medical and health, poverty alleviation, education and cultural cooperation, so that people from all countries can share the development achievements of the SCO.

　　The current epidemic is still spreading globally, and we need to accelerate vaccine and drug research and development cooperation.

After the Chinese new crown vaccine is successfully developed and put into use, it will serve as a global public product and contribute to the realization of the accessibility and affordability of the vaccine.

This year is the year when China will fight decisively in poverty alleviation. We will overcome the impact of the epidemic and will complete the poverty alleviation of the rural poor under the current standards as scheduled, and embark on a poverty alleviation path that suits China's national conditions.

China is willing to carry out poverty reduction training for SCO countries and provide assistance within its capacity for countries to improve people's livelihood.

China proposes to intensify the construction of SCO universities, add a batch of project colleges and majors, and jointly cultivate high-quality talents facing the future.

China proposes the establishment of the International Museum of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to negotiate and sign a memorandum of mutual translation of classics to promote mutual learning among civilizations and people-to-people bonds.

　　Dear colleagues,

　　Peaceful development is still the theme of the times, and open cooperation is still the trend of the times.

We must safeguard multilateralism and free trade, and promote the improvement of the international economic governance system.

Persist in building an open world economy and maintain the smooth operation of the global industrial chain and supply chain.

Adhere to the global governance concept of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, actively participate in the reform of the World Trade Organization, advocate equal rights, equal opportunities, and equal rules for all countries, and defend the legitimate rights and interests of emerging markets and developing countries.

China supports the deepening of cooperation between the SCO and the United Nations and other multilateral mechanisms to jointly maintain the authority and effectiveness of the multilateral system and jointly build a new type of international relations and a community with a shared future for mankind.

　　China firmly pursues a mutually beneficial and win-win opening strategy and is committed to sharing opportunities with the world while achieving its own development.

Let us unite our efforts, move forward courageously, and join hands to create a better tomorrow for the SCO!

　　thank you all!