Xi Jinping stresses the need for greater cooperation within the SCO to advance peace and development
The Chinese president addressed Eurasian leaders at the opening banquet of what Beijing is calling a pivotal meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, where he underlined the need for greater cooperation to address global crises and promote growth and development.
Chinese President Xi Jinping said the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit 2025 aims to build consensus, ignite momentum for cooperation and draw up a blueprint for development as he addressed international guests and world leaders at the opening banquet in the port city of Tianjin on Sunday."Since its founding, the SCO has stayed committed to the Shanghai Spirit, strengthening solidarity and mutual trust, deepening practical cooperation, and taking an active part in international and regional affairs,” said Xi.“The SCO has grown into a significant force in promoting a new type of international relations and building a community with a shared future for humanity."Xi added that the summit comes at a crucial time of global hostility, conflict and instability, noting that leaders at the event are tasked with an important mission of bridging gaps and advancing solutions for development.“We are tasked with an important mission: to build consensus among all parties, ignite momentum for cooperation, and draw up a blueprint for development. Tomorrow, I will join our colleagues at the Meeting of the Council of Heads of Member States.”.“We will also convene the 'SCO Plus' Meeting with leaders of non-SCO members and international organisations. We will focus on how to strengthen cooperation, promote development, and improve global governance," noted the Chinese leader.Held at Tianjin's Meijiang Convention and Exhibition Centre, the welcome banquet was attended by over 20 heads of state and government, as well as their spouses, and more than 10 leaders of international organisations.Heads of states of 10 Eurasian countries, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will continue talks on Monday, discussing everything from advancing bilateral ties to addressing ongoing global issues like the wars on Gaza and Ukraine.The 10-member group which has grown in size and influence since its inception 24 years ago, even while its goals and programmes remain murky and name recognition low. Many also view it as China’s ways of challenging established global diplomatic systems, led by the United States, and is part of Beijing’s plans to advance its name as a global player in the international arena.Founded in Shanghai in June 2001, the SCO has expanded from six founding members into a 26-nation family of 10 members, two observers and 14 dialogue partners spanning Asia, Europe and Africa.With major emerging markets and developing countries such as China, Russia and India among its members, the SCO represents nearly half of the world's population and a quarter of the global economy.