The Conference on Local Economic and Trade Cooperation between China (Shandong) and SCO Member Countries was held on June 25 in Urumqi, Xinjiang. A total of 102 enterprises from Shandong province attended the event to explore in-depth cooperation prospects with SCO member states.

Shandong boasts outstanding competitive advantages in construction machinery, agricultural equipment, complete vehicles, mining machinery, textiles, pharmaceutical and chemical industries. Its robust processing and manufacturing sectors complement the resource-rich yet processing-weak industries of Central Asian and Eastern European SCO members.

Supported by the China-SCO Local Economic and Trade Cooperation Demonstration Area (SCODA) in Qingdao, a smooth westward development path for Shandong enterprises has been fully opened.

In recent years, Shandong has steadily advanced the construction of the SCODA, with 46 cooperation outcomes included in the SCO rotating presidency's achievement list.

Cities across Shandong have showcased their flagship industries and products. Yantai's imports from SCO countries have exceeded a value of 60 billion yuan ($8.85 billion), with an average annual growth of 29.7 percent over the past five years, while Zibo and Jining highlighted their major industrial clusters and complementary trade strengths.

Focusing on green and high-end industrial upgrading, Shandong promotes full industrial chains of new energy vehicles, green petrochemicals and low-carbon processing. Such green development initiatives align perfectly with SCO members' prioritized development of clean energy and green manufacturing, supported by their favorable investment policies.

Shandong stated that it will deepen industrial cooperation with SCO nations to build a mutually beneficial international industrial chain covering modern agriculture, energy, infrastructure and the digital economy.