The SCO Summer Event offers the public a wide range of dazzling cultural events. [Photo/WeChat account: shsfqgwh]

The 2024 Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summer Event will start in the coastal city of Qingdao, Shandong province on July 12. It is the largest and longest-lasting comprehensive cultural exchange activity within the framework of Qingdao's role as the tourism and cultural SCO for 2024 to 2025. It covers the widest range of fields and will continue until September.

During the recent SCO Astana summit, the leaders of SCO member states jointly signed the Astana Declaration, announcing Qingdao as the SCO tourism and culture capital for 2024 to 2025, aiming to tap into the region's tourism cooperation potential and further strengthen cultural cooperation.

Establishing the mechanism of the SCO tourism and cultural capital is one of the key cultural cooperation projects implemented by the SCO. The aim is to further explore the immense tourism potential of various cities and regions and to promote the rich histories and cultures of SCO member states.

The SCO Summer event has attracted over 300,000 participants from more than 20 SCO member states and countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative over the past three editions.

This year's event will take place in the China-SCO Local Economic and Trade Cooperation Demonstration Area, also known as SCODA, and host international events in cities in SCO countries such as Kazakhstan and Sri Lanka.

Local authorities will introduce a series of events for the 2024 SCO Summer event and cover five main areas: international exchanges, cultural arts, tourism and leisure, sporting events, and exhibitions. It will feature nearly 20 categories and over a hundred distinctive activities, showcasing Qingdao as a shining coastal resort city. By displaying the cultural charm of SCO member countries, promoting mutual learning between civilizations, and providing a rich and colorful summer cultural and tourism feast, it aims to bring joy to all.

This year's event is expected to take place in the SCODA and host international events in cities in SCO countries such as Kazakhstan and Sri Lanka. [Photo/WeChat account: shsfqgwh]