Young people have praised the Shanghai Cooperation Organization as a vital platform for cultivating mutual trust, respect, dialogue and appreciation across diverse civilizations.

Through the "Shanghai Spirit", which is grounded in equality, consultation and win-win cooperation, the SCO brings together nations with different political systems and unique histories to deepen political mutual trust, expand economic and people-to-people exchanges, and provide a constructive framework for regional security and development, they said.

They also said that young people should seize the opportunities offered by the SCO to realize their potential, act as bridges connecting people, and make greater contributions to society.

Nik Gu, a master's student from Russia at Tsinghua University, said he first heard about the SCO when he was just a child. "Back then, I only knew it included China, Russia and Central Asian countries as a regional organization," said Gu. "Later, I gradually came to learn more about its role and significance."

Gu, who was born in 2001, the same year the SCO was founded, said he has "grown up with the SCO". He moved to China with his family in 2005 and has lived in Beijing ever since. Over the years, Gu has taken part in various SCO activities and has completed an internship at the SCO Secretariat.

"I have witnessed the organization's steady growth and development with new member states actively joining," he said, adding that the SCO has also brought tangible benefits to young people in recent years, with a growing number of students from SCO member states choosing to study in China.

"The trend is evident not only among Russian students, but also those from Central Asia, India, Pakistan and newer SCO members such as Iran and Belarus. Studying in China has increasingly become a common choice for youths across the SCO," said Gu.

Aidana Zhoomartova, a student from Kyrgyzstan who is now pursuing her master's degree at Tianjin Foreign Studies University, said she was able to study in China thanks to an SCO scholarship.

Zhoomartova said her interest in learning Chinese began in high school. Through programs introduced by the local education authority, she learned about the SCO Scholarship and, after passing a series of exams, earned the chance to study in China. "It was the SCO that paved the way for my journey here," she said.

"My major is international Chinese language education, through which I have gained a deep understanding of Chinese culture and customs," she said. "Over the years, I have grown to love China, and I hope to use my studies to serve as a bridge of friendship between China and Kyrgyzstan."

In July, Zhoomartova took part in the inter-civilizational dialogue among SCO countries in Tianjin, where she and young delegates from 10 nations worked together to draft an action plan on promoting civilizational diversity.

"By participating in the dialogue session, I came to truly understand the SCO's role as a platform for cultural exchange and mutual learning among civilizations," she said. "These activities gave me the chance to share my country's culture and deepen cross-cultural understanding through exchange. I truly witnessed the spirit of 'harmonious coexistence in diversity' coming to life among young people."

Shahnoza Amirbekova, a 24-year-old student from Tajikistan who is studying journalism at Renmin University of China in Beijing, said that the SCO has created wide-ranging collaboration opportunities for its member states.

"In Tajikistan, the tangible benefits of SCO cooperation can be clearly seen. China and other member states have invested in infrastructure projects and improved transportation links in the country," said Amirbekova. "Many Tajik students have also pursued their studies in China through scholarship programs. In addition, cooperation in agriculture and healthcare has delivered practical outcomes, bringing real improvements to people's daily lives."

Cross-cultural exchange

She added that the greatest value of youth exchange activities under the SCO is that they provide a genuine platform for communication.

"Young people find it easier to open their hearts and appreciate each other's cultures and values. When we sit together to share our ideals and visions for development, misunderstandings fade and mutual trust deepens," she said.

"From a broader perspective, mutual understanding and friendship among young people provide a solid foundation for regional stability and peace. When such bonds are nurtured, future cooperation will come more naturally as today's youth take on new roles. This people-to-people connection, with youths at the forefront, is becoming a vital force driving the SCO's future development."

Makhabat Alibekova, founder of the Kyrgyzstan-China Cultural Research Institute, said that youth exchanges under the SCO framework provide a platform for people to come together, share best practices and engage in discussions on future-oriented topics.

Furthermore, the SCO has enabled "more young people to witness China's development firsthand, experience Chinese products and gain a new perspective of a nation", Alibekova said.

The organization also plays an active role in narrowing gaps in understanding, fostering mutual learning among the peoples of its member states and strengthening mutual trust, she added.

Amirbekova, the Tajik student at Renmin University of China, said that young people should not only benefit from SCO cooperation, but also take an active role as participants and contributors.

"Young people are well-positioned to serve as bridges for cross-national communication. Their quick adoption of new technologies and ideas also allows them to use digital tools to promote cooperation in education, environmental protection, entrepreneurship and other fields," she said.

"As I am studying journalism, I hope to use media platforms to share authentic stories about the SCO, to make the world understand that the organization stands not only as a regional cooperation mechanism, but also as a purposeful model for inclusive multilateral collaboration under today's shifting international landscape," Amirbekova said.