Premier Li Keqiang attended the 19th meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) from Beijing on Nov 30 via video link.

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Kazakh Prime Minister Askar Mamin, Tajik Prime Minister Kokhir Rasulzoda, Uzbek Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov, acting Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan Artem Novikov, Indian Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu, representatives of the Pakistani government and observer states also attended the meeting.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, member states of SCO, sticking to the "Shanghai Spirit", have joined hands to fight against the epidemic, maintaining regional development and stability.

Noting that President Xi Jinping attended the meeting of the Council of Heads of State of SCO a few days ago, Premier Li hoped that all parties will implement the results of the summit, push forward steadily various agendas for cooperation, and open a new chapter for development of SCO in the post-epidemic era.

Premier Li introduced China's major strategic achievements in coordinating epidemic prevention and control, and economic and social development, offering suggestions on the development of SCO in the next stage.

The first is to focus on creating a safe and stable environment for development. Efforts should be made to continue joint anti-terrorism exercises and de-radicalization cooperation, effectively cope with new challenges such as cyber-terrorism, and maintain data security. He also suggested all parties support Afghanistan's national reconciliation process and help them achieve stability and development.

The second is to lay a solid foundation for integrative development. All parties should stick to openness and cooperation, to enhance free trade and investment in the region.

He suggested all sides deepen cooperation in dovetailing the Belt and Road Initiative with the development strategies of the involved countries, to promote high-quality regional interconnectivity. In addition, efforts should be made to build a regional network of "fast track" and "green channel" and expand agricultural trade.

Third, the Premier stressed the leading role of scientific and technological innovation. He called for efforts to foster growth points in cooperation in digital economy, make good use of online economy, integrate development of digital and real economy, cultivate new industries and new forms of business, and jointly promote high-quality economic development and "green recovery".

The fourth is to carry out people-oriented cooperation. All sides should explore new cooperation in areas such as health, culture and sports, and accelerate vaccine and medicine R&D cooperation. COVID-19 vaccines being developed by China will become global public goods and contribute to the accessibility and affordability of the vaccines, the Premier said.

Premier Li stressed that peace and development remain the theme of the current era, and that openness and cooperation remain the trend of the time. He called for efforts to expand two-way opening-up and investment, build an open world economy, and maintain the smooth running of global industrial chains and supply. All parties should adhere to the principle of achieving shared growth through consultation and collaboration in global governance, and jointly uphold the authority and effectiveness of a multilateral system.

China has been firmly committed to peaceful development and the win-win strategy of opening-up, Premier Li said, adding that the country will share opportunities with the world while pursuing its own development. He called for joint efforts to create a better future for SCO.

All parties spoke positively of the major progress in SCO cooperation in various fields, and believed that SCO has become an important platform to promote development of member countries and maintain peace and stability in the region.

In the face of the challenge of COVID-19, all parties pledged to work together to fight the epidemic, enhance capacity-building of member countries in public health, and carry out cooperation in vaccines and drug R&D.

All sides committed themselves to safeguarding multilateralism and free trade, promoting trade and investment and people-to-people exchanges, jointly building the Belt and Road, tapping the potential of interconnectivity, and pushing ahead economic recovery in the post-epidemic era.

They agreed to make joint efforts to combat terrorism in all forms, to maintain security and stability in the region, and enhance exchanges in youth and culture, to consolidate the public opinion basis of mutually beneficial cooperation.

Premier Li and the other leaders signed and issued a joint communique, and approved a number of cooperation documents and resolutions, covering fields such as the economy and trade.

He Lifeng, head of the National Development and Reform Commission, also attended the meeting.