Trade, investment and supply chain cooperation between Shandong province and Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states were in focus on Wednesday in Qingdao, a coastal city in Shandong, as officials and experts highlighted the need to expand high-quality local economic and trade ties.

The China (Shandong)–SCO Industrial and Supply Chain Cooperation Promotion and Exchange Conference, held in the China-SCO Local Economic and Trade Cooperation Demonstration Area, focused on strengthening the stability of global industrial and supply chains, promoting high-quality growth in import and export trade, and advancing steady two-way investment cooperation.

Designed as a platform for resource matching, the event aimed to facilitate more pragmatic, locally driven economic and trade collaboration between Shandong and SCO member states.

More than 290 representatives attended the conference, including officials from commerce authorities, industrial parks, and leading enterprises from SCO member states such as Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, alongside Chinese participants.

In a video address, T.R. Midhun, deputy secretary-general of the SCO, said that amid a rapidly evolving global landscape, building stable and mutually beneficial industrial and supply chain partnerships has become increasingly important.

"Shandong, with its solid industrial base and strategic location, is a strong partner in advancing local economic and trade cooperation," he said.