Xi Jinping Says SCO Must Shoulder Greater Responsibility for Peace and Development

Image Credit, SCO

Chinese President Xi Jinping used Tianjin as the stage this week to call for a stronger role for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), telling gathered leaders that the group must shoulder greater responsibility for peace and development at a time of global uncertainty. Speaking at a banquet on August 31 at the Meijiang Convention and Exhibition Center, Xi welcomed heads of state and international delegates to what has become the largest SCO summit since the organization’s founding. He said the SCO was entering a new phase where its influence must be felt not only in regional security but also in economic cooperation and global governance.

Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan personally greeted the guests before the banquet, a gesture underscoring the significance of the gathering. In his remarks, Xi expressed confidence that the summit would be a success, noting that the SCO was well positioned to deepen unity among its members, pool the strength of the Global South, and contribute to what he described as the advancement of human civilization.

Founded in Shanghai in 2001, the SCO started with six member states focused largely on regional security. Over the past two decades, it has expanded into a 26-nation network that now includes 10 members, two observers, and 14 dialogue partners spanning Asia, Europe, and Africa. With China, Russia, and India among its ranks, the SCO represents nearly half of the world’s population and about one quarter of the global economy, giving it weight that extends far beyond its original mandate.

This year’s summit, held in Tianjin for the first time, is also the largest annual meeting in the organization’s history. Leaders are expected to adopt key documents, including a development strategy for the coming decade. Xi has already held more than a dozen bilateral meetings with visiting heads of state, signaling China’s commitment to using the forum as a platform for deeper cooperation.

The president pointed to Tianjin’s history as a pioneer in China’s reform and opening-up, saying the city’s openness and innovation would inject new vitality into the SCO’s development. He described the organization as an important force for building a new type of international relations and for advancing the idea of a shared future for humanity.

The summit includes the 25th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO along with an expanded “SCO Plus” session. Delegates are expected to discuss cooperation in development, strategies for regional stability, and reforms to strengthen global governance. Xi urged that under the guidance of what he called the Shanghai Spirit, the SCO should “set sail once again from Tianjin toward an even brighter future.”

After the banquet, Xi and Peng joined the guests for a cultural performance, closing the evening on a note of friendship and shared purpose. With the adoption of a long-term strategy and the participation of leaders from across continents, the Tianjin summit underscores how far the SCO has come in less than a quarter century—and how much more responsibility it is preparing to assume on the global stage.