?By Zhang Maorong, researcher with the International Economics Department, China Institute of Contemporary International Relations; cartoon drawing by Liao Tingting.

On June 9, Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the 17th meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Astana, Kazakhstan and delivered a speech entitled, "Upholding Solidarity, Coordination, Openness and Inclusiveness and Building a Common Home of Security, Stability, Development and Prosperity."

In his speech, Xi mapped out a new blueprint for future development of the SCO, promoting development of the SCO to a new level. It has also been applauded by all participants of the conference.

This year marks the 15th anniversary of the signing of the Charter of SCO, as well as the 10th anniversary of the Treaty on Long-term Good Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation.

With the aim of the SCO's sustained and healthy development of in the next five years or longer, President Xi put forward China's proposals for the bloc to consolidate solidarity and coordination, work together to tackle challenges, deepen pragmatic cooperation, enhance people-to-people bonds and adhere to openness and inclusiveness.

Xi's proposals also covered SCO cooperations in such fields as politics, economy, security, people to people exchange, foreign relations, and mechanism building. These proposals will inject vigor to promote the SCO's development, to carry out its mission for safeguarding regional security and stability and pursuing common development and prosperity, and to promote a more just and equitable international order, as well as to help build a community of shared future for the regional areas and mankind.

After the Astana summit concluded, China took over the rotating presidency of the SCO and will host the next summit in June, 2018. It is expected that guided by the "Shanghai Spirit", the next SCO summit will bring more fruits, adding impetus to the SCO's development and ushering in an even brighter future.

(Source: CCTV.com)