Shanghai has long been the birthplace of bold ideas and international cooperation. It was here that a proposal to boost regional security and economic integration laid the foundation for what later became the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
More than 20 years on, the SCO has evolved from a regional security dialogue into the world’s largest regional organization by population and territory, connecting 10 member states, two observer states, and 14 dialogue partners. At its heart lies the “Shanghai Spirit” – mutual trust, mutual respect, mutual benefit, equality, and coexistence.
The Light of Technology Across Borders
Technological cooperation has been one of the most visible outcomes of Shanghai’s role as a hub. From optics and automation to robotics, Chinese companies are sharing expertise across SCO countries. Zhang Ximing, Head of Overseas Department at DUCO Robots Co., notes that the relationship between humans and robots is about collaboration, not replacement. In 2023, over 23,000 collaborative robots were produced, with the figure expected to reach 100,000 by 2028, driven by demand in Russia, India, Türkiye, and beyond. Each year, more than 100 global technicians from SCO countries receive training, strengthening local industrial chains thousands of kilometers away.
Dream Chasers in Shanghai
Shanghai also serves as a meeting place where personal dreams take shape. Vei Anna, who moved from Azerbaijan 17 years ago, runs an Azerbaijani restaurant in the city together with her local husband. For her, food is not just a business but a cultural bridge: “I have a big dream – to open a huge Azerbaijani restaurant in Shanghai, not only a restaurant, but also a place to show our culture.” With simplified visa-free travel between China and Azerbaijan, connections like these are becoming even easier.
Nearby, Anna and her Turkmen friend, Eugenia Shinkaruk, have opened a cultural showroom showcasing traditional carpets, each pattern carrying the story of generations. For Eugenia, Shanghai is more than a commercial center: “Behind the soaring figures in economy and trade lies a more business-friendly environment, but what has touched me most is the warm support from people here.”
The Next Generation of Cooperation
Shanghai is not only a center of trade but also of knowledge. At Fudan University, Professor Ma Bin has studied the SCO for more than two decades, tracing its evolution since volunteering at the 2006 SCO summit. “The most important thing is the ‘Shanghai Spirit,’ which provides the principled foundation of the organization,” he explains.
International students echo this vision. Dilfuza Turaeva from Uzbekistan highlights green development and digital cooperation as the SCO’s next priorities. Saudi student Rima Wasel emphasizes the role of social media in reaching younger generations. Russian PhD candidate Sofiia Skurlatov points to AI governance as a crucial area where the SCO can become a leading platform.
Shanghai: A Global Living Room
From business cooperation to people-to-people exchanges, Shanghai functions as a “global living room,” where cultures collide and fuse. Whether through advanced robotics, cultural gastronomy, or student exchanges, the city demonstrates that overcoming mountains and oceans is possible when people share vision, will, and mutual respect.
As Shanghai embraces both innovation and inclusiveness, it continues to turn “you and me” into “us” – offering a home across borders, and a future rooted in cooperation.
