FROM EIR DAILY ALERT

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China’s Premier Li Keqiang Attends SCO Heads of Government Council in First Tajikistan Visit

Oct. 11, 2018 (EIRNS)—Chinese Premier Li Keqiang arrived today in Dushanbe for an annual meeting of heads of government of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and an official visit to Tajikistan. This is Li’s first visit there, and besides attending the SCO member-states meeting, Li will meet with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, Xinhua reported today. Also, Li is expected to map out practical cooperation plans for the SCO with other leaders, sign cooperation documents, and hold bilateral talks with relevant parties.

The 17th SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting over Oct. 11-12 will also be attended by Foreign Ministers of SCO member states. India’s External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, the SCO’s two newest member countries, have already arrived in Dushanbe. The meeting is expected to focus on boosting cooperation in the fight against terrorism, as well as deliberating on pressing regional and global issues, NDTV reported.

The SCO has eight member countries which represent some 42% of the world’s population and 20% of global GDP.