Afghan President Ashraf Ghani met with his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani on the sidelines of the SCO summit in China, discussed expansion of bilateral ties.

Presidential Palace in a statement said that the meeting of the two leaders took place in Chinese port city of Qingdao on Saturday.

In the meeting, the two leaders emphasized expansion of bilateral political and economic relations as well as joint efforts against international terrorism and drug trafficking.

“The presidents of both countries assessed the economic and trade relations as positive and stressed on the continuation of economic cooperation,” the statement said.

In the meeting, President Rouhani said that he supports every steps being taken as part of the Afghan peace process to prevent conflict in bloodshed in Afghanistan.

This comes as Ghani is scheduled to take part at the 18th Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit where he is scheduled to deliver a speech at the summit.

According to President’s spokesman Haroon Chakhansoori, Ghani will also meet with the other SCO member state’s heads on the sidelines of the summit and discuss counter terrorism, Narcotics and Criminal Economy in the region.</s>Share:

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan hopes to make big achievements from the Shanghai Cooperation Organization after gaining its full membership as the group makes efforts to bring all the members – especially Pakistan and India - closer.

Senior officials at the foreign ministry told The Nation that Pakistan was optimistic to benefit from the SCO for regional peace.

One official said: “We obviously want peace and prefer talks. We are hopeful the SCO leaders will press India to resume the dialogue process.”

“The SCO members have been active to bring Pakistan and India closer. This is a positive step.”

Last year, Pakistan and India formally joined the SCO, spearheaded by China and Russia, despite bilateral tensions bubbling over Kashmir. Leaders of the largely symbolic body - including Russia's Vladimir Putin and China's Xi Jinping – had formally signed off on the two countries’ accession at the annual SCO summit in Kazakhstan’s capital Astana.

Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and Indian premier Narendra Modi shook hands but did not hold a formal bilateral meeting.

Both Moscow and Beijing have expressed optimism that the two nuclear-armed neighbours’ entry into the SCO could strengthen prospects for peace across the region.

The nuclear-armed neighbours have fought three wars since gaining independence from the British in 1947.

Reports said Pakistan, India and other member states of the SCO will participate in the upcoming joint military drill dubbed “Peace Mission 2018” to promote mutual trust against terrorist threats and to maintain regional peace and stability.

The drill’s command post exercise will take place at the Chebarkulsky training ground in Russia’s Ural Mountains region in August. Chiefs of general staff of the SCO nations will also hold a meeting during the joint military drills, it said.

The exercise will follow the 18th SCO summit scheduled for June 9 and 10 in Qingdao in Shandong province. The exercises are biannual, multinational drills with the goal of enhancing counterterrorism coordination and cooperation among the eight member countries, which include China, Russia, Pakistan, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The drill does not target any third party.

Another official at the foreign ministry said the SCO was a big forum for both Pakistan and India. “Since the SCO prohibits its members from confrontation with each other, it will be beneficial for peace in the region,” he said.

Meanwhile, President Mamnoon Hussain will attend the 18th meeting of the SCO’s Council of the Heads of State at Qingdao in China today (June 9).

The Qingdao summit will mark a year since Pakistan joined the prestigious organization as a full member. The Council of Heads of State is the highest decision-making forum of the SCO which meets annually and considers and defines strategy, prospects and priorities of the organization, said a foreign ministry statement.

The invitation to the president to attend the 18th meeting of CHS has been extended by Chinese President Xi Jinping, who would chair the meeting. The meeting will be attended by the Heads of States of SCO Member States, representatives of SCO observer states as well as representatives of international organizations including the UN, the CIS, the ASEAN, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

“The SCO is an established intergovernmental organization that aims to strengthen mutual confidence and good-neighborly relations, while promoting effective cooperation in the fields of politics, trade and economy, science and technology, culture, education, energy, transportation, tourism and environmental protection, among others. Besides Pakistan, its current membership comprises of China, Russia, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and India,” the statement said.

Pakistan shares deep-rooted historical and cultural affinities with member states of SCO. Pakistan affords critical overland connectivity for trade and energy and supports SCO’s efforts for regional integration through linking its flagship program of CPEC with the six land routes of SCO. Pakistan’s membership has been facilitating further deepening and broadening of our multifaceted relations with the individual member states, and SCO region at large, it said.

Since accession as a member, Pakistan has been participating regularly in all SCO meetings and events. It took part in negotiations and finalization of more than twenty documents including the Qingdao declaration, important decisions at the level of the heads of state and agreements under various cooperation mechanisms of SCO. These documents are expected to be signed during the summit.

Pakistan also participated in a number of ministerial-level meetings of SCO member states including those of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Defence, Law and Justice, Commerce, National Security, Culture, Tourism and Media besides numerous senior officials’ meetings.

It has twice participated in the meeting of the Chief Justices/Presidents of the Supreme Courts from 23 – 25 May. Pakistan hosted the Legal Experts Group Meeting of the SCO’s Regional Anti Terrorism Structure, marking the first occasion an SCO event has been held in Pakistan.

Pakistan has also been actively participating in various cultural and sports events such as musical performances, film festivals, art exhibitions, youth exchanges and a marathon under the SCO auspices. These multifaceted activities reflect the truly integrated and dynamic nature of the grouping.

While SCO has achieved significant progress in promoting economic, cultural and social wellbeing in member states, its contributions for peace and security in the region are also noteworthy. SCO through its Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) has played a significant role in promoting peace, security and stability in the region.

On the sidelines of the summit, the president will hold important bilateral meetings with his counterparts from the region.</s>QINGDAO China: President Mamnoon Hussain Friday arrived here in the coastal city of Shandong province to attend the 18th meeting of the Council of Heads of States of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

The president was received by Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou and Vice Governor of Shandong Province Ren Airong as he touched down Qingdao Liuting International Airport.

Secretary Foreign Affairs Tehmina Janjua and Ambassador of Pakistan in China Masood Khalid were also present to receive the president.

The smartly-turned-out contingents of Chinese armed forces presented guard of honor to the president. Clad in beautiful dresses, two children also presented bouquet to the dignitary who reciprocated the gesture with some gifts.

At the summit, President Mamnoon would join the leaders of another seven full member countries of SCO and also address the high-profile gathering. The event would also be attended by the leaders from Observer states and representatives of various international organizations.

President Mamnoon is attending the SCO Summit at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping who would chair the meeting.</s>Chinese culture displayed at media center for 18th SCO Summit in Qingdao</s>Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday morning departed for China's Qingdao to attend the two-day long 18th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). On Friday, the Prime Minister posted a message regarding the summit on his official Facebook account. This will be India's first participation in the summit as a full-time member of the organisation. India, along with Pakistan, became the full-time member during Astana summit in June 2017. Prime Minister Modi is also scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Chinese President.</s>Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday morning departed for China's Qingdao to attend the two-day long 18th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).On Friday, the Prime Minister posted a message regarding the summit on his official Facebook account."The SCO has a rich agenda for cooperation, ranging from fighting terrorism, separatism and extremism to promoting cooperation in connectivity, commerce, customs, law, health and agriculture; protecting the environment and mitigating disaster risk, and fostering people-to-people relations," Prime Minister Modi said.He also said he would be holding multiple meetings with the heads of various SCO member states on the sidelines of the summit.This will be India's first participation in the summit as a full-time member of the organisation. India, along with Pakistan, became the full-time member during Astana summit in June 2017.Prime Minister Modi is also scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping apart from holding meetings with various other participating leaders.Further, the member-countries, including India, Pakistan, China, Kazakhstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, are expected to sign the Qingdao Declaration.The declaration will hold details of the significant mechanism for resisting the global terror activities.The SCO is a permanent intergovernmental international organisation that focuses on strengthening mutual trust and neighbourliness among the member states and promoting their effective cooperation in politics, trade, the economy, research, technology and culture, and making joint efforts to maintain and ensure peace, security and stability in the region.The SCO has two sub-divisions including Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) and SCO Secretariat.</s>Iranian President Hassan Rouhani met with his Chinese counterpart President Xi Jinping early on Sunday.

The two top officials met on the sidelines of the two-day Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in the Chinese port city of Qingdao.

The two top executives highlighted the strengthening of bilateral ties and developing economic and political cooperation between Tehran and Beijing.

The two also exchanged views on issues of mutual interests and the avenues of bilateral cooperation as well as the case of the JCPOA- AKA the Iran nuclear deal- which both Iran and China are signatory states of.

After US President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the agreement on May 6, all heads of states of signatory states but US has reassured Tehran that they will remain committed to the landmark agreement of July 14, 2015.

Prior to meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, President Rouhani held one-on-one meetings with Mongolian President Khaltmaagiin Battulga and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Damodardas Modi on Sunday.

Earlier on Saturday, President Rouhani held separate bilateral meetings with the presidents of Pakistan, Russia, Belarus, and Afghanistan.

Rouhani is in China to take part at the 18th Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit where he is scheduled to deliver a speech on the prospect of expansion of cooperation among the SCO member states and the future of the JCPOA after the US pullout.

The Iranian president is accompanied by high-ranking political and economic figures including Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh, Minister of Economy Masoud Karbasian, Vice President for Economic Affairs Mohammad Nahavandian, and Governor of Central Bank of Iran Valiollah Seif.

Mr. Rouhani is slated to leave the Chinese port city of Qingdao for Iranian capital city of Tehran late on Sunday.</s>Toledo Police worked the scene Monday of the city's 18th homicide with the report of a man shot to death in north Toledo.</s>(CNN) Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives in China for a state visit Friday, his third trip in just over one year as Beijing and Moscow look to promote their special relationship.

Warmer ties between the two countries have been highly-publicized in Russian and Chinese state media in recent months, including an interview on Chinese state TV last week when Putin spoke glowingly of President Xi Jinping.

Maria Repnikova, assistant professor in global communication at Georgia State University, told CNN that, while the two countries were undoubtedly growing closer, there is also an element of global propaganda at play.

"Both countries really use their relationship to showcase ... there is an alternative to the American hegemony and they've been doing that for a while even before Trump," she said.

"This closeness is aimed towards a global audience, not just Russian or Chinese viewers."

Putin last visited the country in September 2017 when he attended the BRICS summit in Xiamen, an annual meeting of the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

This time he is in China for three days, starting with a state visit in Beijing on Friday before heading to Qingdao for the Chinese-led Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, according to state media TASS.

"President Xi is the only state leader who has celebrated my birthday with me ... we just had some vodka together and carved some sausage," he said.

The Russian strongman also said he was keen to try Qingdao cuisine during his time in China. "I love seafood and beer, though I try not to drink a lot. However, I would like to try it and will certainly do that," he said.

The two leaders are expected to further cement their bond in the stands of an ice hockey match when they watch junior teams compete in Tianjin on Friday, TASS said.

On the agenda will be a range of regional issues including counter-terrorism and China's massive Belt and Road infrastructure plan. Xi and Putin are also likely to discuss their neighbor in common: North Korea, with leader Kim Jong Un set to meet with US President Donald Trump on Tuesday for a history-making summit.

China and Russia have been keen to highlight their new close relationship in the recent years -- during a visit to Moscow in May, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the two countries' relations were at the "best level in history."

In comparison, China is currently locked in lengthy negotiations with the United States over the trade deficit while Washington increases pressure on its South China Sea claims, cooling previously cordial relations.

Richard McGregor, senior fellow at Sydney's Lowy Institute, told CNN both Moscow and Beijing had worked hard to build their relationship.

"It didn't happen overnight -- it certainly gained momentum when Obama was President, when they both wanted to push back against the United States, Russia in particular because of sanctions against Moscow," he said.

Despite their shared Communist history, there was a huge amount of mistrust between the two countries from the 1950s until recent years, McGregor said.

But now ties had grown stronger under Putin, according to McGregor, who added there was also a strategic nature to the Russia China partnership, joining together to push back against the United States and Europe in their respective spheres of influence.

"Russia has passively supported China around its claims in the South China Sea, similarly Beijing never has a critical word about the Russian annexation of Crimea," he said.

Earlier in 2018, when Russia was facing international condemnation for its widely-reported role in the poisoning of a former spy and his daughter in the United Kingdom, China refused to join in.

"The Chinese side has come (to Moscow) to show Americans the close ties between the armed forces of China and Russia," Wei said.</s>A day in Qingdao – host city of 18th summit of SCO 

 Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 8 Juin 2018 modifié le 8 Juin 2018 - 23:32 

 As we drive back in to the city, it's clear to me that Qingdao isn't just for tourism or trade, but it's really somewhere that people are proud to come from. The most obvious place of this is Beer Street, where Qingdao locals gather for some late night seafood, beer and conversation. Standing in the famous May Fourth Square, I have the perfect view of Qingdao city's skyline on one side, and Fushan Bay, home to the Qingdao Sailing Centre, on the other, which is currently under renovation for the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit this coming June. 

 

 The sailing center was originally constructed for the 2008 Olympic Games, where the sailing Regatta of the 29th Olympic Games and 13th Paralympics Game were held. Since then, it has held a plethora of events from world record breaking challenges to educational programs. 

 

 Other than Fushan Bay, Qingdao boasts some of the most beautiful coastline and sandy swimming beaches that China has to offer. Every year, tourists from all over China and abroad descend for some fresh sea air and sunshine. A short climb away from the beach and you're walking among the mismatched European mansions of Badaguan. The villas, wide avenues and luxurious fountains make you feel like you've been transported out of China completely, especially thanks to many of the buildings being converted into quaint cafes and museums. 

 

 It's spring at the moment and so the city is quiet. As the summer swings around tourism in the city will ramp up, the most busy during August when people flock for the annual beer festival - the country's very own Oktoberfest. 

 The beer festival is a celebration of the cities favorite beverage - Tsingtao beer. The original Tsingtao brewery has been open since 1903 and the German architecture and brewing methods are still incredibly obvious. We took a couple of hours to check out the brewery museum, find out how the beer has been made for the past 100+ years, and of course have a taste! 

 

 After a few beers on an empty stomach, we were in desperate need of some good food. My colleague, Ning, took us to his favorite noodle restaurant, where he's been eating the specialty hand-pulled noodles since he was a child. Talking about nostalgic childhood memories that occurred within these very walls, Liu Ning describes these noodles as the best in the world, and local rappers even mention the restaurant in their lyrics, so they had a lot to live up to! Watching the chef pull a portion of noodles in around 10 seconds, they are quickly added to a bowl with broth and a healthy portion of beef, coriander and seasoning. The perfect quick bite to eat before heading out of town for our next stop! 

 

 Driving 36 kilometers north, we arrive at the CRRC Sifang factory, where half of all the country's bullet trains are made, and chat with some of the masterminds behind China's fastest bullet train - Fuxing. The manufacture base is a hot bed of railway innovation and design, and is a mammoth 1.77 million square meters in size - that's the size of 248 football fields! 

 

 As we drive back in to the city, it's clear to me that Qingdao isn't just for tourism or trade, but it's really somewhere that people are proud to come from. The most obvious place of this is Beer Street, where Qingdao locals gather for some late night seafood, beer and conversation. 

 Once the sun has set, it's time to head back to where we started this morning - the May Fourth Square, to take in the harbor lights in all their glory. As the night encroaches, a visual feast begins as the lights that have been put up all over the city come alive. 

 

 Source：People's Daily Online 

 

 SCO to be new model for int’l cooperation
The 18th Council of Heads of State meets in Qingdao, China.