Events
On September 17-18, 2018, in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, the Academy’s Russian Central Asian Studies Center, Think Tank Foundation, and International Cooperation Office held the “China and Eurasia: A New Level of Cooperation and Development” international symposium. This was the sixth time the China-Eurasia International Symposium was held. Present at the opening ceremony were the Academy’s Party Secretary Xinhui Yu, Vice President of the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences Zhen Wang, Secretary General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Rashid Alimov, Deputy Secretary General Kaiwen Wang, Director of the Russian Central Asian Studies Center Dazhao Pan, and Counsellor of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Xuhong Chang. Representatives from Russian and Central Asian think tanks, as well as Bejing and Shanghai research institutes were also in attendance.
Yu, in his speech, stressed the importance of promoting shared development between China and Eurasia. He believes that, although the expansion of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) has opened up new possibilities for regional cooperation, concerning international issues still exist, particularly unilateralism, trade protectionism, and reverse globalization. The complexity of the international economy and the environment of cooperation between international economic and trading groups and Eurasia has become more complicated. According to Yu, the responsibility of think tanks today is to figure out how to deepen the interconnectivity between the Silk Road Belt and the Eurasian Economic Union and then link them to each country’s development strategies and strategize to raise the level of cooperation between China and Eurasia. To this end, he proposed three items for contemplation. First, uphold the principles of shared discussion, building together, and mutual benefit, reform and improve the international governing institutions, and push for a Eurasian “community with shared future.” Second, adhere to the security concept of joint comprehensive cooperation, build a solid foundation for public safety, and work hard to achieve universal security. Third, uphold the principle of inclusivity, strengthen mutual understanding and exchanges, uphold the “Shanghai spirit” of the SCO, seek common ground and set aside differences, and sincere cooperation.
Alimov, in his keynote speech, spoke positively about the expansion and development of the SCO. He said that the expansion of the SCO creates the space for further cooperation, ensures the continuance of the opening up of regions, and creates new opportunities. The SCO is growing rapidly; the prospects for the fields in which its member nations work together (security, trade, culture, education, humanities) are vast. According to Alimov, the SCO has proved that it is dynamic and constructive. Through the development process, members built deep relationships of dialogue and mutual trust. Developing interregional cooperation establishes a foundation, which, in turn, helps maintain regional stability in Eurasia. He praised the work done at the Qingdao summit saying they made great steps in combatting terrorism, extremist forces, drugs, international crime, etc. As for economic cooperation, the SCO actively supports the efforts of Central Asian countries in promoting cooperation in the fields of politics, economics, education, and the humanities, exploring new models for mutually beneficial cooperation in the region, and raising the level of economic cooperation. In particular, the Agreement on the Facilitation of International Road Transport contributed to the development of mutual trust and communication in Central Asia. The agreement is open to non SCO member countries and many countries, including Turkey, Afghanistan, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, have expressed desire to join the agreement. Not only will the agreement open the door to Europe, it will also drive new prospects for road transport in other regions. At the same time, Alimov reiterated the SCO’s position on the international trade and governing system; the SCO calls for establishing open international programs, a continued effort in promoting an open, inclusive, transparent, and non-discriminatory multilateral trade order and opposes the breakdown of trade relations and the rise in trade protectionism.
Xuhong Chang, in her speech, analyzed the development of China’s relationships with Russia and Central Asian countries in the context of the current international climate and the situation in Eurasia. She identified four characteristics common to the relationships. First, the consolidation of political mutual trust. Second, the successes of pragmatic cooperation. Chang cited the 25.8% increase in trade volume between China and Russia from January 2018 to July 2018, reaching $58.35 billion. Chang also noted the cooperation between Russia and China in the humanities fields and the rapid increase in trade and investment between China and Central Asian countries. Third, there is much to look forward to in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) construction and cooperation. The BRI has been in effect for a few years now and has already shown signs of success. For example, in 2018, China and the Eurasian Economic Union signed an economic and trade cooperation agreement. Fourth, China has achieved important progress in its multilateral cooperation with Russia and Central Asian countries. The SCO, with its first ever expansion, gained an increase in international influence. Chang believes that the mutual trust between the SCO member states and the level of cooperation on pragmatic issues will increase. At the same time, in order to maintain regional and international peace, member states will continue to abide by the principles of opening up, peace, inclusivity, transparency, and not targeting a third party as they carry out their international relations. Chang went on to say that China will continue to follow the diplomatic policy of “amicable relations, mutual trust, mutual benefit, and inclusivity” set by the CCP’s 19th National Congress under Xi Jinping’s “new era of socialist diplomatic thinking with Chinese characteristics.” China, as part of its diplomatic strategy, will build closer relationships with Russia and Central Asian countries, increase pragmatic cooperation, jointly promote the BRI and the interconnection of joint development strategies, and strengthen coordination and cooperation among the SCO, other multilateral frameworks, and in international and regional affairs. Chang ended by saying that China will work hand in hand to build a new system for international relations and to build regional groups of a shared future.
This article was originally published in the website of Shanghai Academy of Social Science.
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