Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday opened a high-level summit attended by more than 20 world leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Leaders from the ten member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), among them China, India, Russia, Pakistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Belarus, gathered for a group photo in Tianjin, where the two-day summit is taking place. Live footage showed Xi, Putin, and Modi engaged in conversation before the proceedings began.
In his opening address, Xi condemned what he described as “bullying behaviour” in global politics, urging members to “adhere to fairness and justice… oppose Cold War mentality, camp confrontation, and bullying behaviour.”
He stressed that the SCO has a role in offering stability at a time when the international situation is becoming “chaotic and intertwined.”
“The security and development tasks facing member states have become even more challenging,” Xi noted. He also highlighted the organisation’s achievements under what he termed the “Shanghai spirit,” which promotes mutual trust, equality, and cooperation.
“Looking to the future, with the world undergoing turbulence and transformation, we must continue to follow the Shanghai spirit, keep our feet on the ground, forge ahead, and better perform the functions of the organisation,” Xi added.
China and Russia have previously positioned the SCO as a counterbalance to Western alliances such as NATO, with its influence growing as more countries join as observers or dialogue partners.
What you should know
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, founded in 2001, has evolved into one of the world’s largest regional blocs, covering nearly half the global population.
Its agenda spans security, trade, and political cooperation, making it a critical platform for China and Russia to consolidate influence in Asia.
