Experts from Shanghai Cooperation Organization member countries expressed strong confidence in enhanced regional cooperation after touring Tianjin Port on Monday, ahead of the Global Mayors Dialogue · SCO Summit Cities, which opens on Tuesday.

Sherzod Fayziev, deputy director of Uzbekistan's International Institute for Central Asian Studies, praised the port's advanced infrastructure. "We sincerely hope this port can play a crucial role in connecting China with East and Central Asian countries," he said, highlighting the ongoing China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project as a key link in the region.

Tianjin Port, a major hub for the Belt and Road Initiative, connects over 180 countries and regions via maritime routes and facilitates inland trade through the China-Europe Railway Express.

"The second terminal of Tianjin Port is the world's first smart, zero-carbon terminal," said Zhao Kejie, port engineer.

Powered entirely by solar and wind energy, it produces 60 million kWh of green electricity annually and operates autonomous container handling systems using ART robots and 5G connection powered by the navigation platform Beidou, he said.

"Tianjin Port showcases achievements made possible by digital and intelligent technologies while considering ecological balance," said Igor Khodachek, director of the Eurasian Studies Center at European University at St. Petersburg, Russia. "Using green energy reduces environmental burden, and unmanned systems enable efficient resource utilization."

"China is a leader in civilization, welcomed globally. While Europe was the focus in past centuries, China's Belt and Road Initiative now attracts many nations," he noted, anticipating "positive outcomes" from the upcoming SCO Summit.

This week's Global Mayors Dialogue highlights Chinese cities' progress in smart governance and green development, aiming to promote Chinese solutions and strengthen urban cooperation across the SCO region.