On August 31-September 1, immediately prior to China’s grand celebration of the 80th anniversary of victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, the north China coastal city of Tianjin, near to Beijing, hosted the 25th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) followed by the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Plus meeting.
These were the biggest gatherings to date in the SCO’s quarter century history, drawing more than 20 heads of state or government, along with the heads of 10 international organisations, including the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
As we previously reported, at the latter meeting, President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Governance Initiative (GGI), which aims at establishing “a more just and equitable global governance system and advancing toward a community with a shared future for humanity.”
Presiding over the SCO Summit, President Xi delivered an important statement entitled, “Staying True to SCO Founding Mission and Ushering in a Better Future.”
He said that the SCO has established itself as a model for a new type of international relations. The organisation was the first to set up a military confidence-building mechanism in its member states’ border areas and the first to take multilateral actions against the three forces of terrorism, separatism and extremism, thereby maintaining peace and tranquility in the region. The SCO was the first to launch Belt and Road cooperation, providing a robust driving force for development and prosperity and further improving the multidimensional connectivity network across the region. The SCO was the first to conclude a treaty on long-term good-neighbourliness, friendship and cooperation, and proclaim the member states’ commitment to forge lasting friendship and refrain from hostilities, bringing the hearts of the peoples closer to each other. The SCO was the first to put forth a vision of global governance featuring extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit as an effort to practice true multilateralism, thus becoming a proactive force for world peace and development.
President Xi emphasised that the SCO has grown into the world’s largest regional organisation, and its international influence and appeal are increasing day by day. Looking ahead, the member states should carry forward the Shanghai Spirit, forge ahead with solid steps, and better tap into the potential of the SCO in the following five ways:
- Seeking common ground while putting aside differences. SCO member states should respect their differences, maintain strategic communication, build up consensus, and strengthen solidarity and collaboration.
- Pursuing mutual benefit and win-win results. SCO member states need to better align their development strategies and promote the high-quality implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative, improve trade and investment facilitation, enhance cooperation in such areas as energy, infrastructure, green industry, the digital economy, scientific and technological innovation, and artificial intelligence, so as to march toward modernisation hand in hand by bringing out the best in one another and working together for a shared future.
- Championing openness and inclusiveness. SCO member states need to enhance mutual understanding and friendship through people-to-people exchanges, firmly support one another in economic cooperation, and jointly cultivate a garden of civilisations in which all cultures flourish in prosperity and harmony through mutual enlightenment.
- Upholding fairness and justice. SCO member states must promote a correct historical perspective on World War II, oppose the Cold War mentality, bloc confrontation and bullying practices, safeguard the UN-centred international system, support the multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core, and make the global governance system more just and equitable.
- Striving for real results and high efficiency. SCO member states should continuously promote the reform of the Organisation, increase resources input and enhance capacity building to improve its institutional structure and make its decision-making more scientific and its actions more efficient, and provide stronger underpinnings for security and economic cooperation among them.
The leaders of the member states signed and issued the Tianjin Declaration of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, approved the SCO Development Strategy to 2035, released a statement on the victory of World War II and the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, a statement on supporting the multilateral trading system, and adopted 24 outcome documents covering enhanced cooperation in security, economy, people-to-people ties, and organisational development.
The meeting approved the admission of Laos as a dialogue partner and decided that Kyrgyzstan will assume the SCO presidency for 2025–2026.
The previous evening, August 31, President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan held a welcoming banquet for their guests.
In his speech, President Xi Jinping stressed that 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. 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. At present, the century-defining transformation is accelerating across the world, with a marked increase in factors of instability, uncertainty, and unpredictability. The SCO thus bears an even greater responsibility for maintaining regional peace and stability and for promoting development and prosperity of all countries. This Summit, he said, is tasked with an important mission: to build consensus among all parties, ignite momentum for cooperation, and draw up a blueprint for development. It is believed that with the collective efforts of all parties, it will be a complete success and the SCO will play an even greater role, achieve greater development, and make greater contributions to strengthening solidarity and cooperation among the member states, pooling the strength of the Global South, and promoting the cause of human advancement.
Meeting the press on conclusion of the summit, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi introduced eight major outcomes:
- A development strategy for the SCO in the next 10 years was formulated. This overarching strategy clearly states that member states will uphold the Shanghai Spirit, adhere to mutually beneficial cooperation, help each other succeed, and make more contributions to building a multipolar world.
- The Summit sent a just voice for defending the achievements of the victory in World War II. The people of the SCO member states once fought side by side against aggression, making significant contributions to the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War. Remembering history and safeguarding peace has become the shared will of the SCO family.
- The Summit expressed a fair stance in support of the multilateral trading system. In the face of resurgent unilateralism and bullying, the Summit unequivocally expressed its support for the multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) at its core by issuing a statement, called for the elimination of unilateral actions that violate WTO rules, and voiced a common call for justice over hegemony and for a commitment to maintaining an open world economy.
- The establishment of the “four security centres” was announced. Leaders of SCO member states signed agreements to set up the SCO Universal Centre for Countering Security Challenges and Threats, the Information Security Centre, the Centre for Combating Transnational Organised Crime, and the Anti-Drug Centre.
- A political decision was made to set up an SCO Development Bank. China first proposed the initiative to set up the Development Bank more than a decade ago, and it has now come to fruition. The SCO will launch this process, adding a new multilateral cooperation platform in the Eurasian region, which will strongly promote infrastructure development as well as economic and social development among SCO member states.
- Six pragmatic cooperation platforms were established. President Xi Jinping announced that China will establish three major platforms for China-SCO cooperation in energy, green industry, and the digital economy, and will set up three major cooperation centres for scientific and technological innovation, higher education, and vocational and technical education.
- Six action plans for high-quality development were formulated. The Summit issued five statements on promoting sustainable energy development, green industry, the digital economy, artificial intelligence, and scientific and technological innovation cooperation, in addition to the action plan for high-quality development of economic and trade cooperation within the SCO family.
- The SCO achieved new breakthroughs in its reform. The Tianjin Summit decided to merge SCO observer states and dialogue partners into a unified category of “SCO Partners”. This important measure to improve and strengthen the SCO’s operating mechanisms will lead to a more optimised organizational structure, closer cooperation, more efficient operation, and a clearer sense of the SCO family. The Summit also decided to accept Laos as a partner, bringing the number of members of the SCO family to 27.
The following articles were originally published on the website of the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
President Xi Jinping Chairs the 25th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and Delivers an Important Statement
September 1 (MFA) – On the morning of September 1, 2025, the 25th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) was held at the Tianjin Meijiang Convention and Exhibition Center. President Xi Jinping presided over the meeting and delivered an important statement titled “Staying True to SCO Founding Mission and Ushering in a Better Future.”
On this clear autumn day, the air was crisp and refreshing. Outside the Meijiang Convention and Exhibition Center, the national flags of participating countries and the flag of the SCO fluttered in the wind. The logo of the SCO’s 2024–2025 presidency stood out prominently.
President Xi warmly shook hands with the leaders of the SCO member states and heads of its permanent bodies, posed for a group photo with them, and then presided over the Council of Heads of State meeting.
President Xi recalled the extraordinary journey of the SCO’s development, from its early days by the Huangpu River to the present meeting on the banks of the Haihe River. Over the past 24 years, guided by the Shanghai Spirit of mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diversity of civilizations, and pursuit of common development, the member states have shared opportunities, sought common development, and brought about groundbreaking and historic achievements. The SCO has established itself as a model for a new type of international relations. The SCO was the first to set up a military confidence-building mechanism in its member states’ border areas and the first to take multilateral actions against the three forces of terrorism, separatism and extremism, thereby maintaining peace and tranquility in the region. The SCO was the first to launch Belt and Road cooperation, providing robust driving force for development and prosperity and further improving the multidimensional connectivity network across the region. The SCO was the first to conclude a treaty on long-term good-neighborliness, friendship and cooperation, and proclaim the member states’ commitment to forge lasting friendship and refrain from hostilities, bringing the hearts of the peoples closer to each other. The SCO was the first to put forth a vision of global governance featuring extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit as an effort to practice true multilateralism, thus becoming a proactive force for world peace and development.
President Xi emphasized that the SCO has grown into the world’s largest regional organization, and its international influence and appeal are increasing day by day. Looking ahead, the member states should carry forward the Shanghai Spirit, forge ahead with solid steps, and better tap into the potential of the SCO.
First, seeking common ground while putting aside differences. SCO member states should respect their differences, maintain strategic communication, build up consensus, and strengthen solidarity and collaboration. They should make the pie of cooperation bigger, and fully utilize the endowment of each country, so as to fulfill their responsibility for peace, stability, development, and prosperity in the region.
Second, pursuing mutual benefit and win-win results. SCO member states need to better align their development strategies and promote the high-quality implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative, improve trade and investment facilitation, enhance cooperation in such areas as energy, infrastructure, green industry, the digital economy, scientific and technological innovation, and artificial intelligence, so as to march toward modernization hand in hand by bringing out the best in one another and working together for a shared future.
Third, championing openness and inclusiveness. SCO member states need to enhance mutual understanding and friendship through people-to-people exchanges, firmly support one another in economic cooperation, and jointly cultivate a garden of civilizations in which all cultures flourish in prosperity and harmony through mutual enlightenment.
Fourth, upholding fairness and justice. SCO member states must promote a correct historical perspective on World War II, oppose the Cold War mentality, bloc confrontation and bullying practices, safeguard the U.N.-centered international system, support the multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core, and make the global governance system more just and equitable.
Fifth, striving for real results and high efficiency. SCO member states should continuously promote the reform of the Organization, increase resources input and enhance capacity building to improve its institutional structure and make its decision-making more scientific and its actions more efficient, and provide stronger underpinnings for security and economic cooperation among them.
President Xi noted that China always aligns its development with that of the SCO and with the aspiration of the people of member states for a better life. China will work with all parties to stay true to the SCO’s founding mission, step up to undertake their duties, promote the sound and sustained development of the SCO, and march steadily toward a brighter tomorrow of a community with a shared future for humanity. (For full text of the statement, see: https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/xw/zyxw/202509/t20250901_11699345.html.)
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, SCO Secretary General Nurlan Yermekbayev, and Director of the Executive Committee of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure Ularbek Sharsheev delivered statements. They highly commended China’s contribution to the development of the SCO and its effective work during its presidency, spoke positively of the SCO’s achievements, and offered proposals for its future cooperation. The parties all agreed that working with China on the Belt and Road Initiative has enabled countries to share new opportunities from China’s development. The three major global initiatives proposed by China have brought certainty and stability to a turbulent world. All parties agreed to continue upholding the Shanghai Spirit, build consensus, unite together, move forward hand in hand, strengthen cooperation in the fields of politics, security, economy and trade, science and technology, and culture, coordinate responses to both traditional and nontraditional security threats, resolutely combat the three forces of terrorism, separatism and extremism, and promote the SCO’s higher-quality development through higher-standard cooperation, thereby making greater contributions to regional and global stability and prosperity. All parties share the view that amid the fluid and turbulent international landscape, SCO member states should strengthen strategic coordination, safeguard the victorious outcomes of World War II, uphold the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter, oppose unilateralism, hegemonism, and protectionism, improve the global governance system, and safeguard international fairness and justice. The victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression is a major contribution by China to world peace. It reflects the courage, perseverance, and resilience of the Chinese people, and deserves to be remembered forever.
The leaders of the member states signed and issued the Tianjin Declaration of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, approved the SCO Development Strategy to 2035, released a statement on the victory of World War II and the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, a statement on supporting the multilateral trading system, and adopted 24 outcome documents covering enhanced cooperation in security, economy, people-to-people ties, and organizational development.
The leaders of the member states jointly witnessed the inauguration of four new centers: the SCO Universal Center for Countering Security Challenges and Threats, the Center for Combating Transnational Organized Crime, the Information Security Center, and the Anti-Drug Center.
The meeting approved the admission of Laos as a dialogue partner and decided that Kyrgyzstan will assume the SCO presidency for 2025–2026.
Cai Qi and Wang Yi, among others, were present at the meeting.
Staying True to SCO Founding Mission And Ushering in a Better Future
September 1 (MFA) – Statement by H.E. Xi Jinping
President of the People’s Republic of China
At the 25th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State
Of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization
Tianjin, September 1, 2025
Distinguished Colleagues,
As early as 24 years ago when it was founded, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization established the Shanghai Spirit, i.e., mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diversity of civilizations, and pursuit of common development. The member states have since acted in this spirit to share opportunities and seek common development. They have brought about groundbreaking and historic achievements in SCO development and cooperation.
We were the first to set up a military confidence-building mechanism in our border areas, turning our extensive borders into a bond of friendship, mutual trust and cooperation. We were the first to take multilateral actions against the three forces of terrorism, separatism and extremism. We steadily promoted law enforcement and security cooperation, properly managed and settled differences, unequivocally opposed external interference, and maintained peace and tranquility in the region.
We were the first to launch Belt and Road cooperation. A large number of signature projects and “small and beautiful” livelihood projects have been successfully implemented, and industrial investment cooperation has been actively advanced, providing robust driving forces for development and prosperity across the region. China’s cumulative trade with other SCO countries has surpassed US$2.3 trillion, hitting ahead of schedule the target that I had set. Our multidimensional connectivity network has been further improved. Nearly 14,000 kilometers of international land transport routes are in operation among member states. And the China-Europe Railway Express has operated more than 110,000 train services.
We were the first to conclude a treaty on long-term good-neighborliness, friendship and cooperation, proclaiming our commitment to forge lasting friendship and refrain from hostilities. We set up and fully leveraged mechanisms such as the SCO Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation Commission. We built a network for people-to-people friendly exchanges, and expanded cooperation at the subnational level and in such areas as media, think tank, women and youth, bringing the hearts of our peoples closer to each other.
We were the first to put forth the vision of global governance featuring extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit as an effort to practice true multilateralism. We deepened cooperation with the United Nations and other international organizations, and played a constructive role in international and regional affairs. We always stand on the side of international fairness and justice, champion inclusiveness and mutual learning between civilizations, and oppose hegemonism and power politics, thus becoming a proactive force for world peace and development.
Colleagues,
The SCO has grown into the world’s largest regional organization, with the participation of 26 countries, cooperation covering more than 50 areas, and a combined economic output of nearly US$30 trillion. Its international influence and appeal are increasing day by day.
Looking back, we have weathered the storms on our journey and emerged stronger because we have adhered to the Shanghai Spirit. Looking ahead, we should carry forward the Shanghai Spirit in a world fraught with challenges and changes, forge ahead with solid steps, and better tap into the potential of our Organization.
First, we should seek common ground while putting aside differences. Shared aspirations are the source of strength and advantage, and the will to seek commonality while shelving differences reflects vision and wisdom. SCO member states are all friends and partners. We should respect our differences, maintain strategic communication, build up consensus, and strengthen solidarity and collaboration. We should make the pie of cooperation bigger, and fully utilize the endowment of every country, so that we can fulfill our responsibility for peace, stability, development and prosperity in the region.
Second, we should pursue mutual benefit and win-win results. We need to better align our development strategies and promote the high-quality implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative, so that in planning and building relevant projects together and benefiting from them together we can strengthen the momentum of regional development and improve the well-being of the people. We should leverage the strengths of our mega-sized markets and economic complementarity between member states, and improve trade and investment facilitation. We should enhance cooperation in such areas as energy, infrastructure, green industry, the digital economy, scientific and technological innovation, and artificial intelligence. We should march toward modernization hand in hand by bringing out the best in one another and working together for a shared future.
Third, we should champion openness and inclusiveness. The vast land of Asia and Europe, a cradle of ancient civilizations where the earliest exchanges between the East and the West took place, has been a driving force behind human progress. Since ancient times, people of different countries have bartered and traded for mutual benefit and learned from each other. SCO member states need to enhance mutual understanding and friendship through people-to-people exchanges, firmly support one another in economic cooperation, and jointly cultivate a garden of civilizations in which all cultures flourish in prosperity and harmony through mutual enlightenment.
Fourth, we should uphold fairness and justice. We must promote a correct historical perspective on World War II, and oppose the Cold War mentality, bloc confrontation and bullying practices. We should safeguard the U.N.-centered international system, and support the multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core. We should advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, and make the global governance system more just and equitable.
Fifth, we should strive for real results and high efficiency. We should continuously promote SCO reform, increase resources input and enhance capacity building to improve its institutional structure and make its decision-making more scientific and its actions more efficient. We should put into use the SCO Universal Center for Countering Security Challenges and Threats and the SCO Anti-drug Center and set up an SCO development bank as soon as possible to provide stronger underpinnings for security and economic cooperation among member states.
Colleagues,
China always aligns its development with that of the SCO and with the aspiration of the people of member states for a better life. To date, China’s investment stock in other SCO member states has exceeded US$84 billion, and its annual bilateral trade with other SCO member states has surpassed US$500 billion.
China has always focused on taking real actions to ensure better development of the SCO. Going forward, China plans to implement 100 “small and beautiful” livelihood projects in member states with such need. It will provide RMB 2 billion yuan in grant to SCO member states within this year, and will issue an additional RMB 10 billion yuan in loan to the member banks of the SCO Interbank Consortium over the next three years. Starting from next year, China will double the current number of SCO-specific scholarships, and launch an SCO innovative PhD program to jointly train high-caliber talent in academic as well as scientific and technological research. In the next five years, China will establish 10 Luban Workshops in SCO member states and provide 10,000 human resources training opportunities.
Colleagues,
As a Chinese saying goes, “Where will prevails, no boundary holds.” Let us stay true to SCO’s founding mission, step up to undertake our duties, promote the sound and sustained development of the SCO with greater resolve and more practical measures, and march steadily toward a brighter tomorrow of a community with a shared future for humanity.
Thank you.
Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan Hold Welcoming Banquet For International Dignitaries Attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit 2025
August 31 (MFA) – On the evening of August 31, President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan held a welcoming banquet in the Tianjin Meijiang Convention Center for the international dignitaries attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit 2025 in China.
By the Haihe River, the lights are sparkling.
More than 20 foreign heads of state and government and their spouses from SCO member states, observer states, dialogue partners and guests of China as current SCO President, as well as 10 heads of international organizations including the United Nations Secretary-General, arrived at the venue successively. Honor guards lined up to render honors. With the celebrated national melodies of various countries played in the background, the international dignitaries proceeded down the red carpet through a magnificent array of flags consisting of the participating countries’ national flags, the SCO flag and the U.N. flag.
Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan warmly welcomed the foreign leaders and their spouses. They shook hands cordially, exchanged greetings, and posed for a group photo.
Accompanied by the welcoming melody, Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan, together with the distinguished guests, proceeded into the banquet hall.
In his speech, President Xi Jinping extended a warm welcome to all distinguished guests attending the SCO summit in China on behalf of the Chinese government and people.
President Xi Jinping stressed that 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. 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. At present, the century-defining transformation is accelerating across the world, with a marked increase in factors of instability, uncertainty, and unpredictability. The SCO thus bears an even greater responsibility for maintaining regional peace and stability and promoting development and prosperity of all countries. This Summit is tasked with an important mission: to build consensus among all parties, ignite momentum for cooperation, and draw up a blueprint for development. It is believed that with the collective efforts of all parties, this Summit will be a complete success and the SCO will play an even greater role, achieve greater development, and make greater contribution to strengthening solidarity and cooperation among the member states, pooling the strength of the Global South, and promoting the cause of human advancement.
President Xi Jinping pointed out that Tianjin is an open and inclusive metropolis. It has served as a strategic guardian city for the nation’s capital throughout history, and pioneered China’s reform and opening up as a pilot zone. In recent years, Tianjin has implemented the national strategy of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei coordinated development, and written its new and dynamic chapter in advancing Chinese modernization. It is believed that as the host of this Summit, Tianjin will give fresh impetus to the sustainable development of the Organization.
After the banquet, Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan, together with the distinguished guests, watched the gala performance Together We Build A Brighter Future, which featured the charm of mutual learning and harmony among civilizations and the inspiring force of unity and cooperation within the SCO family as its members strive together for a brilliant future.
Cai Qi, Wang Yi, Chen Min’er, Wang Xiaohong, among others, were present at the banquet.
Before the banquet, the distinguished guests viewed the display of Tianjin intangible cultural heritage.
Toast by H.E. Xi Jinping President of the People’s Republic of China at the Welcoming Banquet of the SCO Summit
August 31 (MFA) – Dear Colleagues,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Friends,
Good evening. Tonight, we are gathered here by the glittering banks of the Haihe River in Tianjin, a city defined by its embrace of waters from all corners. On behalf of the Chinese government and people, I welcome all our distinguished guests to Tianjin.
Today is a joyful day for leaders of SCO member states to have this happy gathering with old and new friends. It is also the Independence Day of Kyrgyzstan and the National Day of Malaysia. I wish to take this opportunity to offer our heartfelt congratulations to President Sadyr Japarov, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, and the friendly peoples of Kyrgyzstan and Malaysia.
Tianjin is an open and inclusive metropolis. It has served as a strategic guardian city for our nation’s capital throughout history, and pioneered China’s reform and opening up as a pilot zone. In recent years, Tianjin has implemented the national strategy of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei coordinated development, and written its new and dynamic chapter in advancing Chinese modernization. We believe that as the host of this Summit, Tianjin will give fresh impetus to the sustainable development of our Organization.
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. 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.
At present, the century-defining transformation is accelerating across the world, with a marked increase in factors of instability, uncertainty, and unpredictability. The SCO thus bears an even greater responsibility for maintaining regional peace and stability and promoting development and prosperity of all countries.
At this Summit, 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 organizations. We will focus on how to strengthen cooperation, promote development, and improve global governance.
I am confident that with the collective efforts of all parties, this Summit will be a complete success and the SCO will play an even greater role, achieve greater development, and make greater contribution to strengthening solidarity and cooperation among the member states, pooling the strength of the Global South, and promoting the cause of human advancement.
As a Chinese saying goes, “In a race of a hundred boats, those who row the hardest will lead.” Let us uphold the Shanghai Spirit and set out from Tianjin on a new voyage filled with hope toward an even brighter future.
Now, please join me in a toast:
To a productive and fruitful Summit;
To the advancement of the SCO’s goals and tasks;
To the development and prosperity of all countries and the well-being of our people; and
To the health of all distinguished guests and your families.
Cheers!
Wang Yi Introduces Eight Major Outcomes of the SCO Tianjin Summit
September 1 (MFA) – On September 1, 2025, upon the conclusion of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Tianjin Summit, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, together with SCO Secretary-General Nurlan Yermekbayev, met Chinese and foreign press at the Media Center of the Summit and answered questions.
Wang Yi introduced eight major outcomes achieved at this summit.
First, a development strategy for the SCO in the next 10 years was formulated. This overarching strategy clearly states that member states will uphold the Shanghai Spirit, adhere to mutually beneficial cooperation, help each other succeed, and make more contributions to building a multipolar world. This guiding document sets the tone and clarifies the direction for the SCO’s development in the next decade.
Second, the Summit sent a just voice for defending the achievements of the victory in World War II. The people of the SCO member states once fought side by side against aggression, making significant contributions to the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War. Remembering history and safeguarding peace has become the shared will of the SCO family. At this important juncture marking the 80th anniversary of the victory of World War II and the founding of the United Nations (U.N.), the Summit issued a special statement, calling on the international community to learn from history, uphold the correct historical perspective of World War II, and defend the U.N.-centered international system. The statement declared that the SCO will stand firmly on the right side of history and on the side of fairness and justice.
Third, the Summit expressed a fair stance in support of the multilateral trading system. In the face of resurgent unilateralism and bullying, the Summit unequivocally expressed its support for the multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization (WTO) at its core by issuing a statement, called for the elimination of unilateral actions that violate WTO rules, and voiced a common call for justice over hegemony and for a commitment to maintaining an open world economy.
Fourth, the establishment of the “four security centers” was inaugurated. Leaders of SCO member states signed agreements to set up the SCO Universal Center for Countering Security Challenges and Threats, the Information Security Center, the Center for Combating Transnational Organized Crime, and the Anti-Drug Center, witnessing the inauguration of the “four security centers”. This marks another significant advancement in SCO security cooperation, which will comprehensively enhance member states’ ability to respond to new threats and challenges, and more effectively safeguard regional peace and stability.
Fifth, a political decision was made to set up an SCO Development Bank. China first proposed the initiative to set up the Development Bank more than a decade ago, and it has now come to fruition. The SCO will launch this process, adding a new multilateral cooperation platform in the Eurasian region, which will strongly promote infrastructure development as well as economic and social development among SCO member states. This is a good thing worth celebrating for both the member states and the region as a whole.
Sixth, six pragmatic cooperation platforms were established. President Xi Jinping announced that China will establish three major platforms for China-SCO cooperation in energy, green industry, and the digital economy, and will set up three major cooperation centers for scientific and technological innovation, higher education, and vocational and technical education. These platforms and centers are intended to leverage China’s new development to provide fresh opportunities for the SCO, remain open to all SCO member states, and inject new momentum into regional sustainable development.
Seventh, six action plans for high-quality development were formulated. The Summit issued five statements on promoting sustainable energy development, green industry, the digital economy, artificial intelligence, and scientific and technological innovation cooperation, in addition to the action plan for high-quality development of economic and trade cooperation within the SCO family that is being actively advanced. These six action plans form a comprehensive package of high-quality development initiatives, combining new quality productive forces, trade and investment, and industrial chain cooperation, and providing an important lever to make the SCO more substantive and stronger and empower the development of its member states.
Eighth, the SCO achieved new breakthroughs in its reform. The Tianjin Summit decided to merge SCO observer states and dialogue partners into a unified category of “SCO Partners”. This important measure to improve and strengthen the SCO’s operating mechanisms will lead to a more optimized organizational structure, closer cooperation, more efficient operation, and a clearer sense of the SCO family. The Summit also decided to accept Laos as a partner, bringing the number of members of the SCO family to 27 and further expanding the team of like-minded partners.
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