The chief justices of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states pledged to expand cooperation in a range of areas following the 20th Meeting of Chief Justices of Supreme Courts of SCO Member States, which convened in Hangzhou, East China’s Zhejiang province.

At the meeting's closing ceremony on April 23, the judicial officials of the SCO member states adopted a joint statement committing their supreme courts to uphold the traditions of unity and cooperation, the path of cooperation based on equality and mutual benefit, and the values of fairness and justice to further consolidate and deepen judicial exchanges and cooperation within the SCO framework. 

The 20th Meeting of Chief Justices of Supreme Courts of Shanghai Cooperation Organization Member States closes in Hangzhou, East China’s Zhejiang province, on April 23, with a joint statement signed by the heads of participating delegations at the meeting. [Photo/court.gov.cn]

The statement reached consensus on a wide range of sectors, including enhancing practical cooperation in cybersecurity and digital governance, integrating technological innovations such as artificial intelligence and big data into judicial work, strengthening the role of the judiciary in preventing and resolving conflicts, supporting and promoting the development of diversified dispute resolution mechanisms. 

The SCO member states also agreed to deepen exchanges and practical cooperation in juvenile protection, intensify cooperation in combating violent and terrorist crimes, and enhance information exchanges, mutual visits by judges and judicial officers, the statement said.

Zhang Jun, president of the Supreme People's Court (SPC) of China, attended the closing ceremony, and called for further promoting the "Shanghai Spirit" to provide robust judicial services for common development and prosperity among the SCO member states.

Zhang said that more than 100 representatives from SCO member states and dialogue partners, with enthusiasm and sincerity for cooperation and development, engaged in in-depth discussions and exchanges during the meeting, offering valuable solutions to issues of common concern in terms of rule of law, injecting judicial wisdom and strength into building a closer community with a shared future for mankind.

Noting that the signing of the joint statement symbolizes a new and higher level of judicial cooperation within the SCO framework, Zhang said that China’s SPC is willing to work together with the supreme courts of participating countries at the meeting to further promote the "Shanghai Spirit," expand cooperation, deepen exchanges and mutual learning to ensure that the spirit and effectiveness of judicial cooperation benefit people of all nations, providing robust judicial services for a brighter future of common development and prosperity.