Senior CPC official hails SCO culture ministers' meeting

Li Changchun (4th R, Front), a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, poses for group photo with heads of the delegations to the 9th meeting that groups culture ministers or representatives from Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states, observer states, dialogue partners, the guest state of Afghanistan and the SCO secretariat in Beijing, capital of China, June 5, 2012. (Xinhua/Zhang Duo)

Li Changchun (2nd R), a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, meets with heads of the delegations to the 9th meeting that groups culture ministers or representatives from Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states, observer states, dialogue partners, the guest state of Afghanistan and the SCO secretariat in Beijing, capital of China, June 5, 2012. (Xinhua/Zhang Duo)

BEIJING, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Li Changchun on Tuesday spoke highly of the regular meeting mechanism between culture ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

When meeting with culture ministers from SCO member states, observer states, dialogue partners as well as the guest state of Afghanistan, gathering in Beijing for their 9th meeting, Li said culture can serve as the major medium and measure to improve trust, dispel misunderstandings and promote cooperation.

Respecting different civilizations and learning from different cultures can be achieved through cultural cooperation, said Li, a Standing Committee member of the CPC Central Committee's Political Bureau.

Li said regular meetings between SCO culture ministers have provided an important institutional guarantee for the comprehensive boost of cultural interactions and cooperation within the SCO framework, while each previous meeting has ensured a bright prospect for the cultural relations of the SCO.

It is hoped that all parties will take this meeting as an opportunity to map out a development plan for the SCO's cultural cooperation for the next decade, promote more effective cultural and people-to-people exchanges, and make new contributions to regional peace, prosperity as well as a healthy neighborhood and friendship for generations, said Li.

Representing officials who attended the meeting, Tajik Culture Minister Mirzoshokhrukh Asrori hailed contributions China has made to boosting culture cooperation of the SCO.

The successful holding of the culture minister meeting and the signing of relevant papers will have a profound and positive impact on the future development of multilateral cultural relations within the SCO framework, said Asrori.

Starting on Monday, the meeting that groups culture ministers or representatives from 13 countries and the SCO secretariat will last until Thursday. The ministers signed a number of documents and held cultural presentations during their meeting.