Leaders Putin and Xi advocate for a fresh global governing system during their meeting in China.
Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit: Leaders Call for Multilateralism and Regional Stability
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, held recently, saw the leaders of ten member states, including China, Russia, India, and Belarus, come together to discuss matters of global importance. The summit, which marked the 24th anniversary of the organization, was a platform for these nations to advocate for a world order that moves away from US and European dominance.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, in his address, called for rejecting a Cold War mindset, bloc confrontations, and harassment. He also announced a $2 billion yuan aid for SCO members and highlighted the organization's successes, such as cooperation against terrorism and investments in industry. Xi's proposed Global Governance Initiative (GGI) was praised as the "biggest highlight" of the summit by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
The GGI aims to promote multilateralism and generate real action, according to Xi. The SCO members also signed a joint declaration, condemning economic coercion and criticizing Israel and US attacks on Iran in June and the terrorist attack in Indian-administered Kashmir on April 22. The Russian invasion of Ukraine was not mentioned in the declaration.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, in his speech, echoed Xi's sentiments, advocating for a world order without US and European dominance. Putin did not address the war in Ukraine in his public statements but emphasized good and close cooperation. During a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the summit, Modi called for an end to the Ukraine war.
The summit took place amid strained relations between many states and the USA over tariffs. US President Donald Trump doubled tariffs on Indian imports to 50 percent, citing oil deals with Russia as a justification. The border dispute between India and China, which has strained their relations, was also discussed during the meeting between Modi and Xi.
Putin will remain in China for several days to attend a military parade in Beijing on Wednesday and to hold bilateral negotiations with Chinese officials. The SCO, originally founded for combating terrorism and promoting economic cooperation, has now grown to include Iran (since 2023) and Belarus (since 2024). The organization's emphasis on regional stability and multilateralism is seen as a counterbalance to the geopolitical tensions that persist in the global arena.
In a banquet for state guests, Xi addressed the increasing instability and uncertainty in the world, emphasizing the SCO's responsibility for maintaining peace and stability in the region. The summit, therefore, serves as a testament to the growing importance of the SCO in global politics and its role in shaping a more cooperative and balanced world order.
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