St. Petersburg strengthens SCO ties at Tianjin summit

As St. Petersburg and China continue to explore avenues for cooperation within the SCO, the organization's role in promoting economic growth, technological advancement, and cultural exchange on a global scale becomes increasingly vital, Aplesnin said.

Over the 24 years of its development, the SCO has expanded from six member states to 26 countries, becoming a regional cooperation alliance with the largest territory and population in the world.

"It is heartening that on the eve of the most important summit on the Eurasian continent in 2025, we can discuss the strengthening of cooperation between the key cities of SCO countries at the interregional level," Beglov said.

"Such cooperation will not only enhance the efficiency of urban management but also create new opportunities for the economic development of cities, improve the quality of life for the population, and strengthen interregional ties between SCO member countries," he said.

Wei Qianqian and Bao Yan contributed to this story.