Qingdao in East China's Shandong province has been designated as the tourism and cultural capital of the SCO for 2024 to 2025. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Qingdao in East China's Shandong province was designated as the tourism and cultural capital of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) for 2024 to 2025, aiming to tap into the tourism cooperation potential within the region and further strengthening cultural cooperation, according to the Astana Declaration issued by leaders of the SCO member states on July 4.

Tourism and culture are important areas of cooperation within the SCO framework. As a fertile ground for diverse civilizations, SCO countries possess nearly 150 world natural and historical cultural heritage sites and account for over 40 percent of the global population, providing infinite possibilities for the development of the cultural tourism industry.

Qingdao, taking up the important responsibility of developing the SCO demonstration zone, now has 15 friendship cities in 12 SCO countries. In recent years, Qingdao has vigorously strengthened cultural and tourism exchanges with SCO members, signing the "SCO National Tourism City Cooperation Mechanism Initiative" with 11 cities and regions in seven SCO countries, such as Moscow, Russia, and Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

The SCO demonstration zone plays an important role in deepening international cooperation among SCO countries. Since its inception, the zone has actively leveraged its public goods attributes to promote deeper and more substantial cooperation in commercial, travel, and cultural exchanges among SCO countries.