September 1, 2025
Tianjin, China — Chinese President Xi Jinping used the opening of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit to call on member states to unite against what he described as a dangerous return to “Cold War mentality.” His remarks, delivered before leaders from across Asia and beyond, highlighted China’s push for deeper cooperation and an alternative to Western-led alliances.
Rejecting Bloc Politics
Xi warned that the world is becoming increasingly unstable, with growing risks of fragmentation and confrontation. He urged leaders to resist the formation of rival blocs, which he said foster division rather than cooperation. Instead, he called on countries to embrace the “Shanghai spirit”—a principle of mutual trust, equality, and respect for diversity that underpins the SCO.
Economic Commitments
As part of his speech, Xi announced new financial support measures aimed at strengthening the bloc. These include billions of yuan in aid for member states and expanded access to loans through an SCO banking consortium. The initiative is intended to deepen economic integration, promote development, and provide stability at a time of global financial uncertainty.
Institutional Reform
Xi also proposed reforms to strengthen the SCO itself, including more effective decision-making and improved mechanisms for handling security and development challenges. He argued that only through unity and efficiency can the organization respond effectively to common threats.
Summit Dynamics
The summit brought together over 20 heads of state and government, including leaders from Russia, India, Iran, and Central Asian nations. The gathering underscored the bloc’s growing role as a platform for non-Western cooperation and China’s ambition to shape a multipolar global order.
Broader Significance
Xi’s message aligns with China’s long-standing foreign policy of promoting multipolarity and opposing dominance by any single power. By framing the SCO as a counterweight to “bullying” behavior in global politics, China seeks to position itself at the heart of an emerging international system rooted in multilateralism and shared governance.
What’s Next
The pledges and proposals announced at the summit will now be tested in practice. Whether the SCO can move beyond rhetoric to deliver tangible cooperation and balance against Western influence will determine its impact in the years ahead.
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