Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday urged Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member states to uphold fairness and justice, promote an equal multipolar world, and firmly oppose “Cold War mentality, bloc confrontation, and bullying” — remarks widely viewed as a veiled message to the United States, which has imposed unilateral tariffs on China and other countries.
Addressing the 25th meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO in Tianjin, Xi called for strengthening multilateralism and reforming global governance systems.
“We must promote a correct view of World War II history and oppose the Cold War mentality, bloc confrontation, and bullying. We must uphold the international system with the United Nations at its core and support the multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core. We must advocate for an equal and orderly multipolar world and inclusive economic globalization,” Xi said.
Strengthening SCO Institutions
Xi stressed that SCO members must make the organisation more efficient by advancing institutional reforms, boosting resource input, and enhancing capacity building.
He urged expediting the launch of an Integrated Center for Addressing Security Threats and Challenges, a Narcotics Control Center, and establishing an SCO Development Bank to provide stronger support for security and economic cooperation.
Seeking Common Ground
Highlighting the importance of unity, Xi said:
“Sharing common aspirations is strength and advantage, while seeking common ground while reserving differences is broad-mindedness and wisdom. All SCO member states are friends and partners. We must respect each other’s differences, maintain strategic communication, build consensus, and shoulder the shared responsibility of promoting peace, stability, development and prosperity in the region.”
Cultural and Civilisational Exchanges
Calling for openness and inclusiveness, Xi proposed deeper cultural exchanges among member states to build what he described as a “garden of civilizations where self-improvement, mutual benefit, and harmonious coexistence flourish.”
24 Years of the SCO
Reflecting on the bloc’s journey since its founding in 2001 in Shanghai, Xi highlighted the “Shanghai Spirit” — mutual trust, equality, consultation, respect for diversity, and pursuit of common development — as guiding principles that have enabled member states to achieve “groundbreaking and historic achievements” over the past two decades.
About the SCO
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation is a permanent intergovernmental body comprising China, Russia, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Iran, and Belarus. It has two observer states (Afghanistan, Mongolia) and 14 dialogue partners, including Turkey, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and others.
The ongoing summit in Tianjin has brought together over 20 world leaders, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin, alongside Xi.
