Asia-Pacific

SCO moderate on security, economic co-op

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-06-10 16:19

ALMATY - The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is a unique organization that is developing security, economic and cultural cooperation in a moderate way in today's international arena, a Kazakh expert says.

The SCO has made many remarkable achievements in the past decade, said Valikhan Utebalyuly Tuleshov, director of the International Research Center of the Institute for World Economy and Politics, which is run by the Foundation of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

"It advocates a calm thinking of the future, consultation and cooperation, mutual respect, and a common defense against external threats," Tuleshov told Xinhua in a recent interview.

The SCO will hold a summit to mark its 10th anniversary in the Kazakh capital of Astana on June 15.

"In the economic field, benefiting from countries with sustainable and high-speed GDP growth such as China, the SCO's member states have gone through relatively smoothly the most difficult period of the global financial crisis," he said.

In the political field, the SCO's member states continue to strengthen their governance framework to improve people's livelihoods, and in the post-crisis period, they will show fresh vigor of development, Tuleshov said.

Chinese President Hu Jintao has repeatedly mentioned the importance of enhancing the SCO's work efficiency and results, he said.

"I believe this is an important direction for the organization's development," he said.

Tuleshov said President Hu's views on all-round development of relations among SCO member states have won broad approval in the region.

"Multilateral cooperation is the only way to achieve all-round development of relations among SCO member states. For instance, the SCO held its first National Coordinators Meeting this year and solved the problem of compatibility in the transportation sector. In other words, we should create an integrated transport network within the area ...set up uniform road construction standards, and customs norms," he said.

"Common understanding of the necessity of developing multilateral cooperation among member states will help promote practical cooperation and overcome all kinds of difficulties," he added.

On cooperation in the cultural field, Tuleshov said the SCO should establish concrete channels to promote interaction and a "fusion" of moral values, philosophy and cultures among different nations.

He noted that very few works by Chinese writers could be now found in Kazakhstan, while those sold in bookstores are mainly imported from Russia. "We are eager to read classics of Confucius, Lao Zi and other philosophers, and discover Chinese culture from close distance," he said.

Tuleshov also highlighted the importance of cooperation in the field of education.

"We can organize extensive exchanges among teachers, students and writers. It is very important. This is not simple contact, but mutual understanding among nations through such contacts."

He suggested plans be made to promote Chinese language study in Kazakhstan, starting with children.

"I believe, the SCO has infinite development potential in the field of education, science and technology and culture," he added.