The "SCO Youth, Encounter Qingdao" youth study tour officially kicks off on July 5. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The "SCO Youth, Encounter Qingdao" youth study tour officially kicked off on July 5 in the China-SCO Local Economic and Trade Cooperation Demonstration Area, also known as SCODA, in Qingdao, the port city located in East China's Shandong province.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation or SCO is an intergovernmental international organization established in Shanghai in 2001. It currently has nine member states members including China, Russia, India, Pakistan and Iran, as well as three observer states and 14 dialogue partner states. 

As part of the 2025 SCO Summer Event, the seven-day youth event brings together 100 international students from 30 countries, including Pakistan and Tajikistan.

Participants will visit the SCO zone, the Ocean University of China, Qingdao Port and the city's historic urban districts — engaging in academic seminars, field visits, volunteer service and cultural experiences.

The study tour is set to become a long-term initiative based in the SCODA or the SCO demonstration area located in Qingdao. It will aim to build a platform for youth from SCO member states to study and engage in China — turning international students into bridges for cultural exchanges.

Since its launch, the zone has actively promoted people-to-people engagements by establishing the China-SCO Institute of Economy and Trade.

It's also opened the Qingdao SCO Pearl International Expo Center and hosted cultural events such as SCO Summer Event and the SCO Chinese Calligraphy Exhibition, building a bridge of mutual learning among civilizations and people-to-people bonds.