QINGDAO, Friday, July 18, 2025 (WNP): The China-SCO Local Economic and Trade Cooperation Conference opened Friday at the SCODA Pearl International Expo Center in Qingdao, bringing together nearly 300 delegates from across Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states in a bid to deepen local economic ties and unlock new frontiers for regional development.

Hosted by the People’s Government of Shandong Province and co-organized by its Department of Commerce and the Qingdao Municipal Government, the conference is themed “Planning Regional Cooperation Together and Promoting Innovative Development Hand in Hand.” It aims to strengthen subnational partnerships through collaborative trade, investment, and innovation platforms.

A key outcome of the event was the release of the Qingdao Initiative, a roadmap to enhance local economic and trade cooperation within the SCO. The initiative emphasizes building joint platforms, modernizing cooperation models, and targeting strategic sectors such as digital trade, energy, finance, and logistics.

Since the establishment of the China-SCO Local Economic and Trade Cooperation Demonstration Area (SCODA) in 2019, Qingdao has positioned itself as a gateway to the Asia-Pacific region and a hub for SCO trade. The area now leads in building four key centers: international logistics, modern trade, two-way investment, and cultural-tourism exchanges. The China-SCO Institute of Economy and Trade also continues to grow as a beacon for economic learning and regional collaboration.

Dr. Wang Jianzhou, an expert in regional cooperation attending the event, noted: “What we are witnessing here is not just a conference, but the rise of a strategic platform enabling cities and regions of SCO countries to become active players in global trade and development.”

A series of side events is further amplifying the conference’s impact. These include the SCO Industrial and Supply Chain Meeting, the Belarus Local Economic Cooperation Forum, and the 4th SCO International Investment and Trade Expo, among others. Dialogues on Silk Road e-commerce, fintech for trade, and the Ocean Internet of Things have also provided practical roadmaps for cross-border cooperation in emerging sectors.

Speakers at the conference underscored that regional development in the SCO must be rooted in mutual benefit, innovation, and inclusivity. By encouraging local-level partnerships and showcasing best practices, the conference is expected to accelerate efforts to achieve sustainable growth and economic integration across SCO nations.

The Qingdao conference stands as a landmark initiative by Shandong Province to bolster SCO’s “local strength” in shaping a future marked by interconnected supply chains, resilient trade corridors, and people-centric cooperation—all aligned with the broader vision of the Belt and Road Initiative.