On June 14, 2024, a gala reception on the occasion of SCO Day and a presentation dedicated to the five-year anniversary of the initiative to create the SCO Demonstration Zone for the exchange and training of agricultural technologies took place in the courtyard of the SCO Secretariat.

About 150 people took part in them, including SCO Secretary-General Zhang Ming, Special Representative of the Chinese Government for Eurasian Affairs Lu Hui, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Shaanxi Province and Governor Zhao Gang, heads of diplomatic missions of the SCO member states, observers and dialogue partners, accredited in Beijing, representatives of international and regional organizations, as well as high-ranking officials of government bodies of the PRC and representatives of local and foreign media.

In his speech, Zhang Ming, having analyzed the achievements of the SCO over the past 23 years, noted that guided by the “Shanghai Spirit” and adhering to the principles of openness, tolerance, peaceful coexistence and mutually beneficial cooperation, the “SCO family” is increasing the number of its members, expanding the scope of cooperation and enhancing its international influence, making a significant contribution to the prosperity and stability of the region and the world.

Zhang Ming also emphasized the importance of SCO agricultural cooperation and highly praised the role of the SCO Demonstration Base in Yangling as a platform for developing cooperation within the SCO in this area, promoting the economic and social development of countries and ensuring food security in the region.

The guests were also addressed by the Special Representative of the Chinese Government for Eurasian Affairs Li Hui, the Ambassador of Kazakhstan (current Chairman of the SCO) Shahrat Nuryshev and the Governor of Shaanxi Province Zhao Gang.

During the event, a photo exhibition of the achievements of the SCO Demonstration Base was organized, as well as a tasting of fruits and vegetables grown at the base, which aroused great interest among guests in the “taste of the SCO” and the history of friendship of the “SCO family.”