Recently, the 30th session of the "Cooperation and Development" Series Lectures, co-hosted by the School of Political Science and Public Administration, Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Research Institute, Public Security Research Institute of Shandong University, and China-SCO Economic and Trade College, was held in the South Building of Huagang Garden on Qingdao Campus. With the theme "China-Kyrgyzstan Friendly Cooperation from the Perspective of the SCO", the lecture was delivered by Sheradil Baktygulov, Director of the Kyrgyzstan Global Policy Institute. Edmund Sheng, Distinguished Professor of the School of Political Science and Public Administration and Executive Director of the SCO Research Institute at Shandong University, presided over the lecture. Relevant teachers and students from the school participated in this academic exchange activity. Li Haiyan, Secretary of the Party Committee of the School of Political Science and Public Administration, awarded Sheradil Baktygulov the letter of appointment as Senior Research Fellow of the Shandong University SCO Research Institute.
In his report, Professor Sheradil Baktygulov systematically reviewed the evolution of Kyrgyzstan's foreign relations since its independence. He focused on the in-depth development of China-Kyrgyzstan relations from good-neighborliness and mutual trust to a comprehensive strategic partnership over more than 30 years of diplomatic ties. He pointed out that based on the core principles of mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit and balance of interests, the two sides have successfully built a bilateral cooperation model that transcends scale differences, features strong complementarity and prominent resilience. In terms of economic cooperation, Professor Baktygulov analyzed the structural opportunities brought by the Belt and Road Initiative to the development of Central Asian countries, combining key projects such as the China-Kyrgyzstan Railway, China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Economic and Trade Corridor, and Datka-Kant Power Transmission Line. He noted that Kyrgyzstan is moving towards becoming a regional transportation hub, and China's in-depth participation in infrastructure construction, trade facilitation and capacity building is a key driving force behind this process.
During the exchange and discussion session, participating teachers and students conducted in-depth discussions with the speaker on topics such as the diplomatic strategies of Central Asian countries and regional security governance. Professor Baktygulov responded to the questions and encouraged young scholars to strengthen research on Central Asian politics, security and development, so as to contribute Chinese wisdom and youth power to regional cooperation. In his summary, Professor Edmund Sheng pointed out that Professor Baktygulov's report provided an important perspective for understanding the realistic logic and institutional foundation of China-Kyrgyzstan relations, and also offered rich materials for deepening research on SCO regional governance.
This lecture further broadened the teachers' and students' understanding of the prospects of regional cooperation under the SCO framework, and laid a solid foundation for strengthening scientific research cooperation and youth exchanges with Central Asian countries. Teachers and students are welcome to continue paying attention to the subsequent lectures and research achievements launched by the Shandong University SCO Research Institute and the School of Political Science and Public Administration.
