Forging unity through media: 2025 SCO Media Cooperation Forum in Xinjiang

Panellists on ‘Media Cooperation for a Community of Shared Future’ during the 2025 Media Cooperation Forum of SCO Countries in Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (Pic credit: People’s Daily)

By Charumini de Silva in Xinjiang, China

The 2025 Media Cooperation Forum of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) countries, hosted by People’s Daily, concluded in Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, marking a milestone in cross-border media collaboration.

Over 300 representatives from media organisations, Government bodies, and academia across 26 countries, including member States, observer States, and dialogue partners, participated, with senior officials from the SCO Secretariat, Ministers responsible for media, and senior journalists from mainstream media, including the Daily FT among them. 

It was a powerful declaration that countries spanning Central Asia, South Asia, Eastern Europe and beyond are ready to shape their own stories together. 

The forum, held on 23 May, featured a variety of activities, including the Media Dialogue of SCO Countries and 2025 Youth Cultural Exchange Camp activities, aiming to enhance cultural understanding and deepen media cooperation. 

Platform rooted in ‘Shanghai Spirit’

The forum served as a vibrant platform for dialogue, mutual learning, and forward-looking cooperation.

Since its establishment in 2001, the SCO has emphasised the ‘Shanghai Spirit’—mutual trust, benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diverse civilisation, and pursuit of common development. These principles were echoed throughout the forum, which adopted the theme, ‘Building a More Beautiful Home Together for a Prosperous Future.’

Speakers unanimously highlighted the importance of truthful, objective, and balanced journalism in fostering mutual understanding, dispelling misinformation, and boosting public support for SCO initiatives. 

China International Communications Group (CICG) Vice President Yu Yunquan addressing the event noted the growing significance of the SCO as a platform for regional collaboration in a rapidly evolving global landscape. 

He highlighted the transformative role of emerging technologies and cultural exchange in strengthening people-to-people connections, noting that the media plays a crucial role in bringing global communities together. 

Yunquan urged media organisations across SCO member States to uphold the ‘Shanghai Spirit’ by promoting dialogue, building trust, and deepening mutual understanding. 

To enhance the SCO’s global voice, the CICG Vice President called for deepened cooperation in developing multilingual, intelligent content platforms that reflect the region’s diversity and can engage wider international audiences. 

Communist Party of China (CPC) Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Regional Committee Deputy Secretary and People’s Government of Xinjiang Chairman Erkin Tuniyaz described the region’s remarkable transformation and welcomed increased international media engagement under the umbrella of the SCO.

He said that since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, Xinjiang has achieved significant progress in social stability, economic growth, cultural diversity, ethnic unity, and religious harmony.

These achievements, he noted, are the results of the CPC’s strong leadership and the successful implementation of the Party’s strategy for governing Xinjiang in the new era. 

“Xinjiang is now experiencing the best period in its history in terms of high-quality development. Hosting the 2025 SCO Media Cooperation at such a moment is both timely and meaningful,” he added. 

Tuniyaz expressed hope that the forum would serve as a catalyst for stronger media exchanges, enabling journalists from SCO countries to share stories of Xinjiang’s development and promote greater mutual understanding among people under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

“We warmly invite media friends from all countries to come and witness Xinjiang’s progress first-hand. Our people from all ethnic backgrounds are open, friendly, and welcoming. Xinjiang offers rich stories and deep inspiration for your reporting,” he said. 

Tuniyaz also pointed out that through platforms like this forum, the region can collectively tell a powerful story of cooperation, prosperity, and peace across the SCO region. 

People’s Daily President Yu Shaoliang highlighted the importance of unity and mutual learning.

“I am confident that by upholding this spirit of unity, this forum will build broad consensus, foster deep and practical cooperation, and guide us towards sustained and steady progress,” he added. 

One of the event’s key messages was that media, far from being a passive transmitter of news, holds transformative potential in shaping global discourse, countering unilateral narratives, and building bridges among diverse cultures.

Highlights: Survey and Media Dialogue of SCO countries

A standout moment of the forum was the release of the report ‘Common Home: Public Opinion on the Development Visions in SCO Member States,’ jointly published by the International News Department of People’s Daily and the Global Times Institute. 

The findings were striking. As per the report, over 80% of respondents believe the SCO plays a positive role in global governance and around 70% believe their countries have gained more opportunities to participate in global governance due to SCO, whilst over 60% credit the SCO with contributing to sustainable development and modernisation in their countries. 

In addition, over 90% of respondents view China’s development experience as a source of valuable insight and believe that cooperation with China benefits national development.

The forum also featured several panel discussions, including the 2025 Media Dialogue of SCO Countries. 

The first panel discussion, titled ‘Media Cooperation for a Community of Shared Future,’ featured Narodnoe Slovo, Uzbekistan Deputy Chief Editor Ruslan Kenjaev, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China Department of Commerce Party Leadership Group Secretary Li Xuan, Al-Watan Newspaper, Saudi Arabia Opinion Department Acting Director Maha Alsulami, Department for Information Work on Television and Radio Channels at the Committee of Information under the Culture and Information Ministry, Kazakhstan Chief Expert Dinara Abdrakhmanova, Xinjiang University, China School of Journalism and Communication  Associate Professor Tursun Abai, and Daily FT, Sri Lanka Deputy Editor Charumini de Silva.

Amidst an increasingly polarised information ecosystem, the SCO Media Cooperation Forum reinforced the urgent need for a more balanced and representative global media narrative. With western media often dominating international discourse, SCO countries called for a unified media front to amplify the voices of the Global South and offer diversified perspectives. They also explored collaborative journalism, joint content creation, and capacity-building programs such as journalist exchanges and technical training.

The second panel discussion titled ‘Driving Innovation for a Shared Future of Convergence’ featured Yeni Şafak, Türkiye News Director of International Digital News Platforms Omer Kablan, Kuwait Television, Kuwait Host Abulaziz Drweesh; Asia-Plus Media Group, Tajikistan Founder and Chief Editor Umed Babakhanov, Secretary of the Party Committee Xinjiang Radio and Television Station, China President Shi Lei, Chinese Research Department at Al-Tharir Centre for Studies and Research Bayt Alhekma Group for Cultural, Egypt Director Yara Ibrahim, and Kuaishou Technology, China Deputy Editor-in-Chief Xia Jiang.

They discussed the deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI), digital platforms, and content innovation to enhance media impact. The forum acknowledged that modern media must navigate the challenges of fake news, information manipulation, and algorithmic biases whilst upholding journalistic integrity. 

Additionally, SCO media institutions were urged to be both guardians of truth and agents of progress, offering narratives that reflect the lived realities of the region’s people. 

In addition, the forum saw a youth cultural exchange program aimed at deepening grassroots engagement. 

Xinjiang: Strategic hub for connectivity, economic integration and cultural diversity 

Holding the forum in Xinjiang was both symbolically and strategically significant. As the core area of the Silk Road Economic Belt under China’s BRI, Xinjiang served as a vital conduit between China and Central Asia. 

The region’s connectivity, economic integration, and cultural diversity make it a fitting backdrop for dialogue on cooperation and shared futures. 

Beyond the forum, media representatives embarked on a four-day tour of Xinjiang, visiting cities such as Yining City, Kazanqi, Folk-Custom Tourism Area, Kuqa, and institutions like Khorgas International Centre for Border Cooperation, Urumqi International Land Port Area, Xinjiang Islam Sutra College, and Muqam Art Troupe Theatre.

The tour offered a first-hand look at regional cooperation, economic development, trade relations, and cultural heritage sites. 

With China holding the rotating Presidency of the SCO in 2025, having the forum in Urumqi City in Northwest China’s Xinjiang, underscores its central role in steering the organisation’s communication agenda. The consensus among participants was clear—‘the media must not only report the story of SCO cooperation, but it must help write it.’

Khorgos Xinjiang Image Display Platform

Xinjiang Islam Sutra College 

Khorgos International Center for Border Cooperation

A report titled ‘Common Home: Public Opinion on the Development Visions in SCO Member States’ was released at the 2025 Media Cooperation Forum of SCO Countries in Urumqi, Northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (Pic credit: Lin Xiaoyi/GT)

Kazanqi Culture Tourism Area in City of Yili

Urumqi International Land Port

Khorgos Jinyi International Trade Group

Liuxing Street in Yining City, Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture​

Kazanqi Folk Tourism Area in Ancient City of Yili