REVIEW AND PROSPECT OF CULTURAL AND PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE EXCHANGES UPON THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SHANGHAI COOPERATION ORGANIZATION

Abstract

After two decades in pursuit of sound development, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (also known as the SCO) has come a long way in the cooperation on security, economy and people-to-people exchange with the rest of the world. With profound and time-honored history and culture, the SCO has seen remarkable outcomes in terms of cultural and people-to-people exchanges. Among other things, the SCO has created the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Forum, founded the University of Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and held various cultural activities such as “Cultural Year”, “Cultural Day” and “The Year of SCO States”. However, cultural and people-to-people exchanges have been challenged by misunderstandings and differences caused by cultural differences, complex regional situations aimd the process of development. Cultural and people-to-people exchanges between the SCO member States are far from balanced. It is necessary that we dive deep into the approaches to promoting cultural and people-to-people exchanges of the SCO and best benefiting the SCO member States from cultural and people-to-people exchanges.