Leaders attending "SCO Plus" meeting pose for group photos

Leaders attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Plus meeting posed for group photos at the Palace of Independence in Astana, capital of Kazakhstan, on Thursday.

The meeting was held on the sidelines of the 24th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO, or the 24th SCO Summit.

Apart from the ten formal member states, the "SCO Plus" meeting was attended by observer states and dialogue partners. It was also joined by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, other heads of international organizations and formal guests of Kazakhstan.

The meeting came after the SCO Summit, which saw Belarus become the organization's 10th member state.

The summit adopted the Astana Declaration, which reaffirms the members' commitment to equality and peaceful resolution of disputes and opposition to illegal acts, such as terrorism and drug trafficking. This year's summit also adopted a new initiative supporting the promotion of the world's justice, harmony, and development.

Following the SCO Summit in Astana, China officially took over the rotating presidency of the SCO from Kazakhstan.

Leaders attending "SCO Plus" meeting pose for group photos

Leaders attending "SCO Plus" meeting pose for group photos

China on Sunday marked the 87th anniversary of the beginning of its whole-nation resistance war against Japanese aggression.

On July 7, 1937, Japanese soldiers attacked Chinese forces at the Lugou Bridge, marking the beginning of Japan's full-scale invasion of China, and China's whole-nation resistance against the Japanese invaders.

At 09:00, the ceremony began amid resounding China's national anthem. Poems were recited and songs were performed by students from the capital to express the younger generation's resolve to carry forward the spirit of the heroes and martyrs, advance China's modernization and contribute to the building of a strong nation and national rejuvenation.

Attendees offered floral tributes and bowed to pay their respects to those who had laid down their lives in fighting the Japanese aggression.

The ceremony was attended by about 500 people, including war veterans and family members of military officers in the war.

Beijing holds event to mark 87th anniversary of resistance war against Japanese aggression