Host city Tianjin gears up for SCO summit

TIANJIN, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- Tianjin Municipality, a major port city in north China, is putting the finishing touches on its preparations to host the largest-ever Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit on Aug. 31 and Sept. 1, with leaders from more than 20 countries and heads of 10 international organizations set to attend the event.

"Tianjin is a city that makes you feel welcomed and inspired at the same time -- it's the people and their warmth that have left the deepest impression on me," said Muhammad Sarfraz, a Pakistani doctoral student at Tianjin University.

In making preparations for the summit, the city has undergone extensive upgrades. The Haihe River, which winds through Tianjin, now glows with enhanced night views thanks to a lighting project covering 217 buildings, 14 bridges and 8.2 km of waterfront.

These upgraded night views along the river are attracting an increasing number of tourists -- more than ever before. Over 70 night cruises operate daily, with services running until late at night. Tickets are in high demand, said Fan Fukun, manager of Tianjin Jinlv Haihe Cruises Co., Ltd.

Nazanin Dehghanbordbar from Iran praised the city's blend of tradition and modernity. "Tianjin is a perfect bridge between the ancient and the modern. Here, I can sense the city's growth and feel connected to the great souls and people."

The municipal government has also focused on improving urban infrastructure -- including smoothing roads, maintaining bridges, expanding green spaces and strengthening public services.

According to Hu Xuechun, director of the Tianjin Municipality Commission of Urban Management, these efforts have infused the city with "a stronger sense of vibrant local life, cultural depth and international appeal."

A team of nearly 1,000 youth volunteers from local universities have been trained in diplomatic etiquette, emergency response and language services -- thereby helping to support the SCO Summit. Wang Yutong, a translation volunteer from Tianjin Foreign Studies University, said: "The world will not only see our modern skyline and economic vitality but also our rich history and our warm hospitality."

Community volunteers, including retirees, students and Party members, have also joined neighborhood "SCO service teams" to help create a friendly atmosphere.

"We are making the most of this important opportunity to host the summit in Tianjin, steadily advancing our preparations and service support, and ensuring everything is in place for this major international event," said Yu Pengzhou, a Tianjin official involved in preparations.

Sheradil Baktygulov, director of the Institute of World Policy of Kyrgyzstan, is full of anticipation for the summit. "The SCO Tianjin Summit will take place at a difficult time of global turbulence, but it will become a guiding bright star -- showing the right path to safe and stable development."