China’s Xi says SCO bears 'greater responsibility' for maintaining peace and stability

- Xi calls for 'consensus,' momentum for cooperation and blueprint for development ahead of SCO leaders' meeting

ISTANBUL

Chinese President Xi Jinping said the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) has a “greater responsibility” for maintaining peace and stability.

“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,” Xi, alongside his wife Peng Liyuan, told a welcoming banquet at the Tianjin Meijiang Convention Center for foreign guests in northern China Sunday night.

Xi is hosting a two-day summit of SCO leaders as well as “SCO plus,” bringing together some 20 heads of state and government as well as leaders of international organizations.

This transformation “is accelerating across the world, with a marked increase in factors of instability, uncertainty, and unpredictability,” said the president of the world’s second largest economy, according to Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning.

He said 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," said Xi.

Xi stressed that the SCO Summit being held in Tianjin “is tasked with an important mission: to build consensus among all parties, ignite momentum for cooperation, and draw up a blueprint for development.”

Amid the turbulence, he said “the SCO thus bears an even greater responsibility for maintaining regional peace and stability and promoting development and prosperity of all countries.”

“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 and achieve greater development,” he added.

The main part of the summit is set to be held Monday, when the participating leaders are expected to sign the Tianjin Declaration and approve a 10-year strategy alongside outcome documents on security, trade, energy and cultural cooperation.

The summit will also issue statements on the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and the founding of the UN.

The SCO evolved from the "Shanghai Five" mechanism comprising China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan before Uzbekistan joined as the sixth member. Today, it includes 10 member states, two observers and 14 dialogue partners across Asia, Europe and Africa.

The organization covers approximately 24% of global land area and 42% of the world’s population, with member states accounting for roughly one-quarter of global GDP and trade increasing nearly 100-fold in two decades.

China’s trade with SCO members, observers and dialogue partners reached a record $890 billion in 2024, or 14.4% of its total foreign trade.

The previous SCO leaders’ summit was held in Kazakhstan in July 2024, where 25 strategic documents were adopted covering energy, security, finance and information security.