Officials and delegates from 16 countries are visiting Qingdao in eastern China's Shandong Province on Thursday. They're taking part in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization's Forum on People-to-People Friendship. Several agreements have been signed.

On Thursday, a forum aimed at promoting cooperation between countries in the organization was held in Qingdao, a coastal city in Shandong Province, and the site of the 2018 Summit of the SCO. At the forum, attendees discussed ways to carry forward the "Shanghai spirit," the set of values underpinning the SCO, and promote people-to-people exchanges across various fields.

LIN SONGTIAN President, Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries "There are more and more member states, observer states and dialogue partners of the SCO, which fully demonstrates how the 'Shanghai Spirit,' whose main themes are mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultations, respect for diverse civilizations, and seeking common development, is in line with the trend of the times."

SCO member states have promoted sister city cooperation, supporting the establishment of partnerships while holding a series of activities geared toward promoting cultural exchange. On Thursday, the deputy mayor of Qingdao signed new sister city agreements with three cities.

SERGEY MANASSARIAN Ambassador of Armenia to China "As for the agreement between the sister cities of Yerevan and Qingdao, we think it's an opportunity to deepen the relationship. We welcome any relationship, any cooperation and any work at the state level, at the level of regions, and at the level of cities."

Attendees say it's necessary to develop ideas from sister city exchanges and deepen cooperation between SCO countries, in areas such as health care, education, technological innovation and connectivity, and bring more benefits to the people of member states.

ERKINJON RADJABOV Deputy Mayor of Samarkand, Uzbekistan "One of the prioritized fields we want to deepen cooperation in is technology because the IT industry in Qingdao is developing very fast. Qingdao also has the SCO Economic Demonstration Zone, and we hope to use this as an opportunity to also deepen cooperation."

Many of the guests in attendance said they will firmly carry forward the "Shanghai Spirit," enhance mutual trust, and jointly safeguard security and stability of the countries and regions.

"Attending guests say since its establishment, the SCO has respected cultural diversity and conducted exchanges among different cultural groups, which is increasingly being recognized by the international community. They add that member states should demonstrate the advantages and achievements of cooperation between SCO countries to the world."

Sub-forums were also held Thursday, under themes of scientific and technological innovation, education, cultural exchanges, poverty reduction and development.