The Shanghai Cooperation Organization's media and think tank summit is being held in the administrative center of Henan Province from July 23 to 27. The central theme of the event was the discussion of building a community of common destiny for the SCO with the participation of representatives of leading media and think tanks from the organization's member countries, russian.news.cn reports.

Irina Akulovich, Director General of the Belarusian Telegraph Agency, noted the increased coverage of the SCO activities in the Belarusian media. According to her, in recent months the agency has published several hundred materials about the organization, where the key topic has been "building a just world." Akulovich emphasized that despite the different approaches of the SCO countries to resolving many issues, China acts as a coordinating center for strengthening dialogue and developing joint solutions. According to the Belarusian media outlet head, Belarus, as a full member of the organization, is also ready to contribute to the activities of the SCO.

Director of the Institute of Russia, Eastern Europe and Central Asia of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences Sun Zhuangzhi drew attention to the special role of humanitarian cooperation within the SCO. In his opinion, the formation of a community of common destiny of the SCO differs from traditional regional cooperation by the active participation of non-governmental organizations, the media and youth along with government structures. The Chinese expert believes that humanitarian exchanges increase the influence and prestige of the SCO as a whole, strengthening trust among the populations of the participating countries.

Deputy Director of the Oriental Institute of the Far Eastern Federal University Marina Dmitrieva described the SCO as a unique association of civilizations, where the "Shanghai spirit" of mutual trust is manifested. According to the Russian expert, cooperation between the journalistic community and academic experts is becoming especially relevant for the formation of public understanding of the goals and principles of the organization, which helps to root the idea of common challenges and mutual interest in sustainable development.

Professor of the National University of Uzbekistan named after Mirzo Ulugbek Saida Agzamkhodjaeva emphasized that the SCO is an emerging civilizational platform uniting states of different cultures and systems of thought based on trust, prevention of conflicts and the desire for sustainable development. Director of the Institute of History and Social and Legal Education of the Kyrgyz State University named after I. Arabaev Cholpon Koichumanova noted the important role of the media and analytical centers in the objective transmission of information.

Director of the Institute of Economics of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus Denis Mukha drew attention to the role of China as the political and economic core of the SCO, noting that the organization's format opens up opportunities for developing new forms of Belarusian-Chinese economic cooperation with the participation of other partners, creating favorable conditions in the sphere of trade and investment, as well as forming a new economic macroregion as an element of a multipolar world order. The summit will last until July 27.