Chinese ambassador highlights “Shanghai Spirit” as SCO marks 25 years at NUST Seminar

ISLAMABAD, Feb 04 (APP): Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Pakistan, Jiang Zaidong Wednesday said the principles of mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality and respect for civilizational diversity, collectively known as the “Shanghai Spirit”, have transformed the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) into a successful model of win-win multilateral cooperation.
He was speaking at a high-level seminar hosted by the NUST Institute of Policy Studies (NIPS), in collaboration with the Chinese Embassy, to mark the 25th anniversary of the SCO under the theme “25 Years of SCO: Embodying the Shanghai Spirit for a New Global Paradigm.”
The event examined the SCO’s expanding role in promoting multipolarity, sustainable development and equitable international cooperation.
The seminar positioned the SCO not merely as a regional bloc, but as a strong expression of the Global South’s aspirations for an international system based on sustainable peace, long-term stability and shared prosperity through consensus-driven decision-making.
Ambassador Jiang, in his detailed address, traced the evolution of the Shanghai Spirit and explained how its guiding values have shaped the SCO into an effective platform for political trust, economic cooperation and people-to-people connectivity, contributing to the vision of a global community with a shared future.
The event was attended by Ambassador Nabeel Munir as chief guest, reflecting Pakistan’s strategic commitment to the SCO framework.
Opening the seminar, Rector NUST Dr Muhammad Zahid Latif described it as an exercise in innovative thinking and broad-based consultation, highlighting NUST’s role through NIPS as a key think tank conducting multi-sectoral research to advance the SCO’s common development agenda.
Russian Ambassador, Albert P. Khorev said the SCO has emerged as a cornerstone of a more democratic and just international order, playing a critical role in strengthening regional security and enhancing economic connectivity across member states.
Addressing the gathering, Ambassador Nabeel Munir said Pakistan views the SCO as a central pillar of its foreign policy, particularly for regional economic integration, energy security and collaborative security, and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to collective efforts to translate the Shanghai Spirit into practical outcomes.
The seminar also featured expert panel discussions focusing on cooperation in green technology, digital connectivity, counterterrorism and cultural exchange to address contemporary global challenges.
The joint initiative by NIPS and the Chinese Embassy was appreciated as a strong example of bilateral cooperation contributing to wider multilateral dialogue and regional stability.