Beijing: The 25th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) will be held in Tianjin from August 31 to September 1, bringing together member nations at a critical moment in global affairs. The summit is expected to serve as a strategic platform for enhancing cooperation and unity among member states.
The spirit of the SCO is often captured by an ancient Chinese saying from the Guiguzi, a classic text from the Warring States Period (475–221 B.C.): Those who recognize the broader trends of history are insightful, but those who act upon them are truly wise. This phrase was notably cited by President Xi Jinping at the 20th SCO Heads of State Meeting in 2020, when he stressed that the global movement toward peace, development, cooperation, and mutual benefit is irreversible.
Xi called on the SCO to uphold the Shanghai Spirit—a principle built on mutual trust, equality, consultation, respect for diverse civilizations, and shared progress—while deepening solidarity and contributing to regional stability and global development.
Focus on Sustainable Development
This year marks the SCO’s Year of Sustainable Development, with China serving as the rotating chair. Under this role, China has advanced initiatives addressing poverty reduction, food security, healthcare, development financing, climate action, green growth, industrialization, and the digital economy. Many of these fall under the Global Development Initiative (GDI), proposed by China in 2021 as a framework for promoting sustainable and inclusive growth worldwide.
The international community is closely watching China’s leadership, expecting it to guide the SCO into a new era of cooperation, strengthen unity among developing nations, and enhance the organization’s contribution to global governance.
A Growing Regional Force
Since its founding in Shanghai on June 15, 2001, the SCO has expanded from its six original members into a family of 26 nations, making it the world’s largest and most populous regional organization. Together, SCO member states account for roughly one-quarter of the global economy.
Over the years, the bloc has developed robust mechanisms for trade, investment, and security cooperation, enabling freer movement of goods, capital, technology, and services among members. These arrangements have brought tangible benefits to millions across the region.
China’s Role and Commitment
As a founding member, China has consistently played a central role in advancing SCO cooperation. From proposing new security and development initiatives to strengthening cultural and people-to-people exchanges, Beijing has positioned itself as both a contributor of solutions and a responsible leader within the organization.
Looking Ahead
The SCO continues to reflect the global trends of peace, cooperation, and shared development. By staying true to the Shanghai Spirit and reinforcing collective unity, the organization aims to inject greater stability into the international system and work toward building a community with a shared future for humanity.
