China-SCO Institute of Economy and Trade Unveiled in Qingdao

This afternoon, the unveiling ceremony of the China-SCO Institute of Economy and Trade was held at the Municipal Conference Center. Deputy Secretary of the Party Leadership Group of the Ministry of Commerce, International Trade Negotiator and Deputy Minister Yu Jianhua, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Yucheng, Vice Minister of Education Tian Xuejun delivered a video speech, Lu Zhiyuan, Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee and Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee, attended the meeting, Vice Governor Wang Xinfu, Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Party Committee Chief Zhao Haozhi delivered a speech. Lu Zhiyuan and Wang Xinfu jointly inaugurated the SCO School of Economics and Trade.

The main body of the institute and the operational idea were disclosed for the first time -- it will take the SCO Demonstration Zone as the main body of promotion and Qingdao University as the main body of implementation, integrate domestic high-quality resources, and further strengthen the construction of economic and trade talent team for the SCO and countries along the "Belt and Road", inject new momentum into the development of multilateral economic and trade cooperation and build a new platform.

Qingdao Shoulders Another "National Responsibility"

How important is the China-SCO Institute of Economy and Trade? It should be started with the background of its establishment.

At present, in the face of the world's unprecedented changes in a century and the intertwined impact of the COVID-19,China has responded calmly, taken new steps to build a new development pattern, achieved new results in high-quality development and maintained global leadership in economic development and epidemic prevention and control.

On September 17, 2021, when President Xi Jinping delivered an important speech at the 21st meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization member countries, he pointed out that all countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization are at a critical stage of development, and should give full play to the unique advantages of adjacent geographic position and the integration of interests, adhere to openness and cooperation, and achieve the beautiful vision of development and revitalization with each other. In order to help countries in post-pandemic economic recovery, China is willing to continue to share market opportunities, strive to achieve the target of 2.3 trillion US dollars in cumulative trade volume with SCO countries in the next five years, optimize trade structure and improve trade balance. The Chinese side will set up the China-SCO Institute of Economy and Trade to facilitate the development of the organization's multilateral economic and trade cooperation.

On September 18, 2021, when interpreting the economic and trade initiatives and outcomes of the 21st meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the head of the Eurasian Department of the Ministry of Commerce mentioned that at this summit, China announced the establishment of the China-SCO Institute of Economy and Trade. This institute will rely on the China-SCO Local Economic and Trade Cooperation Demonstration Zone in Qingdao, Shandong, to further strengthen the construction of economic and trade talents team for the SCO and countries along the “Belt and Road”, and also help the development of multilateral economic and trade cooperation. This adds a new "national responsibility" to Qingdao, which have shouldered the heavy responsibility of building the SCO Demonstration Zone.

In addition, the rapid growth of trade volume between China and SCO member countries requires a large number of high-level talents who are familiar with the multilateral and bilateral economic and trade rules of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and countries along the “Belt and Road”.

At the unveiling ceremony, the operational goals and direction of the China-SCO Institute of Economy and Trade were further clarified -- it will uphold the "Shanghai Spirit", face the SCO countries and countries along the "Belt and Road", and highlight internationalization, marketization, and innovation. With these characteristics, the institute will focus on building a "economic and trade +" discipline system, cultivate innovative economic and trade talents who are familiar with the national conditions of SCO countries, familiar with international rules, and serve the "Belt and Road" construction. It will also create a professional and diversified talent training platform, "China + SCO countries" high-end international think tank platform, and a smooth and efficient economic and trade cooperation and exchange platform.

Build While Training

The development of the SCO requires not only the "hard" support of economic and trade cooperation, but also the "soft" support of cultural exchanges.

The establishment of the SCO Institute of Economy and Trade is a major initiative aimed at promoting economic and trade cooperation among SCO countries and deepening people-to-people bonds among countries in this region. Previously, with the strong support of relevant national ministries and commissions, Shandong Province and Qingdao City adhered to the concept of joint consultation, joint construction and sharing, and comprehensively planned and implemented the construction of this institute.

According to the relevant person in charge of the Management Committee of the SCO Demonstration Zone, at present, in accordance with the idea of "training, constructing, striving for, and declaring at the same time", the SCO Demonstration Zone has accelerated the construction of the SCO Institute of Economy and Trade, and 28 classes including international logistics transportation and multimodal transport research courses for SCO member states, and cross-border e-commerce practical training and other foreign aid training and economic and trade training have been carried out. More than 3,000 people from 43 SCO countries and countries along the "Belt and Road" participated in the training, which provided a solid foundation for the construction of the institute and the local economic and trade cooperation among SCO countries and countries along the "Belt and Road".

Up to now, relying on the teaching resources of Qingdao University, Shandong Foreign Trade Vocational College, Shandong University of Science and Technology and other teaching resources, the SCO Demonstration Zone has carried out online and offline research classes on international logistics transportation and multimodal transport for SCO member states, cross-border transportation for countries along the “Belt and Road”, and foreign aid training and economic and trade training such as e-commerce development strategy seminar, intellectual property protection and development seminar, etc., actively explore new models of international talent training, and provide strong talent support for the development of multilateral trade cooperation among SCO member states.

There is no precedent and no established experience to follow in the construction of the SCO Institute of Economy and Trade. It is a "no man's land" for innovation, and requires Qingdao to sailed through wind and ocean’s roar to be a pioneer in exploring the path, and therefore truly achieve the high standard with characteristics and achievements.

According to introduction, the SCO Institute of Economy and Trade has made it clear that the SCO Demonstration Zone is the main body of promotion, and Qingdao University is the main body of implementation. It will refer to the dean responsibility system under the leadership of the council.

--As the main driving force, the SCO Demonstration Zone will take the construction as an opportunity to deepen pragmatic cooperation with SCO countries in economic and trade cooperation, cultural exchanges and other fields, strengthen institutional innovation, improve supporting services, and effectively make the SCO Demonstration Zone "be solid, good, beautiful, and sound”, and speed up the construction of a new platform for the “Belt and Road” international cooperation.

--As the main body of implementation, Qingdao University will solidly promote the construction of the institute, highlight the characteristics of economy and trade, strengthen discipline construction and personnel training around talent training, scientific and technological cooperation, think tank construction, etc., striving to build an open education platform serving SCO countries and countries along the “Belt and Road”.