Published: September 2, 2025
TIANJIN, China — Chinese President Xi Jinping said Monday that China’s investment stock in other Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states has surpassed $84 billion, with annual bilateral trade topping $500 billion — milestones he framed as evidence of the bloc’s growing economic clout and Beijing’s role in driving regional development.
Speaking at the 25th Council of Heads of State meeting in Tianjin, Xi pledged “real actions” to ensure not only China’s growth but also the shared prosperity of SCO nations.
Expanding Development Commitments
Xi announced plans for 100 “small and beautiful” livelihood projects across SCO countries, targeting infrastructure, education and healthcare. Beijing will also provide a 2 billion yuan grant this year and a 10 billion yuan loan facility over the next three years through the SCO Interbank Consortium to support cross-border investment.
Education and workforce development are also central to China’s plans. Xi said the number of SCO-specific scholarships will double starting next year, while a new doctoral program will connect high-level academic and scientific talent. Within five years, China aims to establish 10 Luban workshops to boost vocational training and offer 10,000 professional training opportunities to member states.
SCO as a Rising Bloc
Xi highlighted the SCO’s evolution into the world’s largest regional organization, now spanning 26 member and partner countries with a combined GDP near $30 trillion. From its origins in border confidence measures, the bloc has expanded into economic integration and collective security.
He credited the rise to the “Shanghai Spirit” of mutual trust, equality, consultation and respect for diversity. “Looking ahead, we must carry forward this spirit in a world fraught with challenges and changes,” Xi said.
Push for Unity and Independence
Urging countries to seek common ground despite differences, Xi called SCO nations “friends and partners” and warned against external forces that could divide them. He pressed for stronger strategic communication and consensus-building to reinforce the bloc’s independence.
Belt and Road Synergy
Xi reiterated that the Belt and Road Initiative is central to SCO development, pointing to opportunities in energy, infrastructure, green industry, the digital economy and artificial intelligence. He noted cumulative trade with SCO countries has exceeded $2.3 trillion, supported by more than 110,000 China-Europe freight trains and nearly 14,000 kilometers of international land routes.
Defense of Global Fairness
Positioning the SCO as a defender of fairness in the international system, Xi cautioned against “Cold War mentality, bloc confrontation and bullying practices.” He urged reforms to global governance to make it “more just and equitable” and reaffirmed support for the United Nations.
Institutional Strengthening
Xi called for an SCO Development Bank to finance joint projects and stressed the importance of the bloc’s counterterrorism and anti-drug centers. He reminded leaders that the SCO pioneered multilateral counter-terrorism mechanisms and advanced large-scale Belt and Road cooperation across Eurasia.
Shared Future
Closing his remarks, Xi invoked a Chinese proverb: “Where will prevails, no boundary holds.” He urged SCO nations to stay true to their founding vision and “march toward a brighter tomorrow of a community with a shared future for humanity.”
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