(ECNS) -- The 2026 Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Digital Economy Forum opened in Urumqi, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on Tuesday, bringing together government officials, business leaders and experts to discuss ways to deepen digital cooperation. 

The 2026 Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Digital Economy Forum opens in Urumqi, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on Sept. 15, 2026. (Photo: China News Service/Gou Jipeng)

The forum focused on digital connectivity, trade, smart industries and digital governance, aiming to expand practical cooperation among SCO members.

Liu Liehong, head of China’s National Data Administration, called for deeper cooperation in digital infrastructure, data governance and talent training, as well as greater use of AI to support industrial upgrading and economic development.

Sohail Khan, deputy secretary-general of the SCO, said digitalization is creating new opportunities for economic and trade cooperation and helping bridge the digital divide.

The forum released a list of nearly 20 proposed cooperation projects for 2026-2027 and a collection featuring 32 digital economy cases already implemented in multiple SCO countries.

Participants also agreed to promote an SCO ministerial dialogue mechanism on the digital economy.

(By Helen Mo & intern Liu Shuangjing)