Tsingtao beer became the official beer of choice of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) when the Tsingtao Brewery Corporation and the SCO signed a strategic cooperation agreement in Beijing on June 14.

Huang Kexing (left), president of Tsingtao Brewery, and Wang Kaiwen, deputy secretary general of Shanghai Cooperation Organization, sign a strategic cooperation agreement in Beijing on June 14. [Photo/ chinanews.com]

The SCO, founded in Shanghai in 2001, is an intergovernmental organization previously composed of China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. India and Pakistan joined the SCO as full members on June 9 in Astana, Kazakhstan.

Bottles of Tsingtao beer are seen at the reception held by the Shanghai Cooperation Organization at its Beijing headquarters on the evening of June 14. [Photo/ chinanews.com]

On the evening of June 14, Tsingtao beer was served at the reception held by the SCO at its Beijing headquarters to highlight the entry of its two newest members.

Tsingtao beer is highly praised by Rashid Alimov, secretary-general of the SCO. During his visit to Qingdao, Alimov hailed Tsingtao Beer not just as Qingdao's draw card but also as the calling card for China. Tsingtao beer is well known around the world.

Rashid Alimov, secretary-general of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, speaks highly of Tsingtao beer. [Photo/ chinanews.com]