BELT AND ROAD - POWERHOUSE OF SCO

To build the SCO into a model organization that stresses mutual benefit and win-win results, Xi called on member states to advocate multilateral trading system, build an open world economy, and put forward more institutional arrangements in trade and investment liberalization and facilitation.

To this end, he also called for implementing the agreements reached at the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, further synergizing the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the development strategies of other members, as well as such regional cooperation initiatives as the Eurasian Economic Union, so as to promote an all-dimensional inter-connectivity.

Many leaders present at the summit spoke highly of the progress made in the joint construction of the Belt and Road and reiterated support for docking the BRI with development strategies of their countries.

Since more than two millennia ago, the Central Asian region has been at the crossroads of the ancient trade routes connecting the East to the West.

This piece of inland area, where most SCO founding members are located, is one of the birthplaces of the BRI -- a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa. It was in Kazakhstan Xi first brought forward the initiative of the Silk Road Economic Belt, part of the BRI.

Central Asian countries are considering connecting their own development plans with the BRI, because it gives them a chance to become major transportation hubs, SCO Secretary-General Vladimir Norov said, adding that the Belt and Road cooperation allows them to build ports and provides an opportunity for mutual development.

As the world is witnessing the negative impact of unilateral and protectionist measures on world economic growth, said Norov, the member states are in favor of deepening interaction to meet the challenges of jointly creating an open global economy.