The Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, held a meeting in Beijing with the current Secretary General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Zhang Ming, and the incoming Secretary General, Nurlan Ermekbaev, who is set to take over the role next year.

This was reported by Xinhua News Agency.

Wang Yi highly praised Zhang Ming's outstanding contributions to the development and growth of the SCO. He emphasized that under Zhang Ming’s leadership, the SCO’s circle of partners has significantly expanded, with 10 new countries joining the organization.

Wang Yi congratulated Nurlan Ermekbaev on his upcoming appointment and assured him that Beijing would continue to provide support and create favorable conditions for the execution of the duties of the Secretary General and the work of the SCO Secretariat.

In turn, Zhang Ming stated that over the past three years, the Secretariat, with the trust and support of the member states and China, and guided by the "Shanghai Spirit", has achieved significant successes. The organization has promoted practical cooperation in various fields, strengthened its influence on the international stage, and increased the sense of satisfaction among the peoples of member countries. The Secretariat has become an active supporter of building a new type of international relations and a community of shared future for mankind, noted the SCO Secretary General.

Nurlan Ermekbaev, for his part, commended China's leading role in the development of the SCO. Currently, China holds the presidency of the SCO.

In this context, Ermekbaev pointed out that upon assuming the role of Secretary General, he would continue to fully support China’s leadership and cooperate with the Chinese side in preparation for the upcoming SCO summit next year.

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