The 24th summit of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) took place in Astana, Kazakhstan, on July 3-4, 2024. The SCO, founded in 2001, consists of nine member states and plays a crucial role in regional and global affairs, representing 40% of the global population and contributing over $23 trillion to the world economy.
The summit focused on security issues like terrorism, trade and economic cooperation, and expanding international influence. Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of collective security within the SCO and proposed the Global Security Initiative (GSI) to improve global security governance.
A significant outcome of the summit was the strengthening of logistical ties between China and Kazakhstan through the China-Kazakhstan (Xi’an) Trade Logistics terminal, which has boosted trade efficiency and cargo transportation between China and Europe.
In a signed article, President Xi Jinping highlighted the historical and cultural connections between China and Kazakhstan, emphasizing the mutual benefits of their partnership. Additionally, China and Tajikistan committed to enhancing bilateral cooperation, including major infrastructure projects in Central Asia.