The 2025 Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Forum on People-to-People Friendship and the Forum on Friendship Cities officially opened on July 4 in Shenyang, the capital of northeast China’s Liaoning Province. Held under China’s rotating presidency, the forums aim to strengthen people-to-people bonds among SCO member states.
Shen Yueyue, Vice Chairperson of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and Chairperson of the SCO Committee on Good-Neighborliness, Friendship, and Cooperation, delivered a keynote speech. She emphasized the need to uphold the “Shanghai Spirit,” enhance unity and cooperation, and weave an enduring network of friendship across generations. Shen also stressed the importance of openness, inclusiveness, and mutual understanding.
Under the theme “Deepening People-to-People Friendship, Advancing Sustainable Development,” the forums issued two documents: the “Consensus on Actions for the Sustainable Development of People-to-People Exchanges among SCO Countries” and the “2025 Shenyang Initiative.” These declarations aim to foster stronger bonds and a shared vision of the future among SCO nations.