Xi Calls for Enhanced Solidarity, Mutual Trust Among SCO Members

Beijing, China – Chinese President Xi Jinping urged members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) to steer in the right direction and bolster solidarity and mutual trust. In his address during the SCO summit held via video link on Tuesday, Xi emphasized that the prevailing trend of peace, development, and win-win cooperation is unstoppable. At the same time, the SCO experienced a momentous milestone as Iran formally joined the organization on the same day, signifying its second-round expansion. Experts suggest that this inclusion of additional members not only elevates the SCO’s global influence but also fortifies the organization against the repercussions of the ever-evolving international landscape.

According to observers, with Western nations employing hostile tactics, particularly the United States’ intensified efforts to sow discord among SCO members, the time has come for member countries to strengthen mutual trust, engage in meaningful dialogue, and enhance cooperation on a broader range of issues, including economic matters. They denounced the Western media’s sensationalism surrounding the Russia-Ukraine crisis, asserting that such a myopic perspective fails to grasp the SCO’s primary focus on wide-ranging cooperation, writes the Chinese Global Times.

During his video speech, President Xi emphasized the importance of strategic communication and coordination among SCO countries. He emphasized the need to bridge differences through dialogue and replace competition with cooperation. “We should genuinely respect each other’s core interests and major concerns, firmly support each other’s development and revitalization efforts, and prioritize the overall and long-term interests of our region when formulating our foreign policies. We must remain highly vigilant against external attempts to incite a new cold war or camp-based confrontation in our region. We must unequivocally reject any interference in our internal affairs or instigation of ‘color revolutions’ by any country, regardless of the pretext,” Xi proclaimed during the summit.

Furthermore, Xi stressed the importance of preserving regional peace and ensuring common security. He asserted that upholding peace and security in the region is a collective responsibility. China stands ready to collaborate with all parties involved to implement the Global Security Initiative, encourage the settlement of international disputes through dialogue and consultation, and advocate for political resolutions in global and regional hotspots. These efforts aim to forge a robust security shield within the region.

Xi also emphasized the SCO’s focus on practical cooperation and the urgency to expedite economic recovery. Promoting economic growth is a shared task for all countries in the region. China is prepared to work in unison with all stakeholders to implement the Global Development Initiative, remain steadfast in the correct direction of economic globalization, oppose protectionism, unilateral sanctions, and the undue prioritization of national security. Moreover, China aims to reject any measures that erect barriers, promote decoupling, or sever supply chains. The objective is to expand the realm of win-win cooperation and ensure that the benefits of development are equitably shared across the globe.

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Xi stressed the need to enhance the alignment of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation with the development strategies of various countries and regional cooperation initiatives. This strategic alignment would foster mutually beneficial outcomes and contribute to the sustainable growth of all involved parties.

As the SCO summit unfolded virtually under the leadership of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he announced Iran’s formal entry into the organization. He also welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Obligation for Belarus’ SCO membership. President Xi extended his congratulations to both countries in his speech. Iran now becomes the ninth member of the organization.

The SCO’s rigorous admission process led to Iran’s long-awaited inclusion, which the country had requested 15 years ago. Zhu Yongbiao, director of the Center for Afghanistan Studies at Lanzhou University, remarked that Iran’s membership in the SCO holds symbolic significance, signifying the organization’s second-round expansion. With its widening scope encompassing Central Asia, South Asia, and now West Asia, the SCO’s global influence is poised to grow, equipping it with greater resilience in the face of a complex global landscape.

Sun Zhuangzhi, director of the Institute of Russian, Eastern European, and Central Asian Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, highlighted the SCO’s growing influence amid a complicated international environment. He emphasized that the organization promotes cooperation to ensure security and advocates dialogue as a means to resolve regional and international conflicts. Furthermore, the SCO has fostered a new type of constructive partnership among its members and remains open to collaborating with other international organizations.

Apart from its expansion, the SCO is expected to tackle a myriad of challenges in its next phase. Deepening security cooperation, countering the negative impacts of geopolitical tensions, enhancing internal coordination among member states, and boosting economic recovery are all high-priority issues, according to Qian Feng, director of the research department at the National Strategy Institute at Tsinghua University.

Qian underscored the various challenges the SCO faces, including the United States’ Indo-Pacific strategy, which aims to drive a wedge between China and its neighboring countries. Additionally, Washington seeks to bring India into its fold to dilute the cohesion within the organization. Qian also highlighted issues such as Afghanistan, the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, and terrorism as significant challenges for the SCO.

Modi’s recent visit to the United States and his meeting with President Joe Biden revealed heightened attempts by Western countries to divide SCO members. In light of this, it is crucial for SCO members to bolster internal coordination, mutual trust, and cooperation to address common concerns effectively.

At the 11th World Peace Forum held at Tsinghua University, Nurlan Akkoshikarov, permanent representative of Kazakhstan to the SCO Secretariat, mentioned that SCO members are exploring ways to achieve economic independence, including reducing reliance on the US dollar and establishing the organization’s own currency circulation system. Akkoshikarov also expressed the view that once political issues are resolved, the SCO can drive economic cooperation forward. Drawing inspiration from the BRICS countries, he suggested the possibility of establishing a bank headquartered in Shanghai, which the SCO could consider emulating.

Contrary to the Western media’s focus on the Russia-Ukraine crisis potentially overshadowing the SCO summit, Qian Feng asserted that the conflict would not become the central topic of discussion. Qian emphasized that the organization’s primary focus lies in facilitating its growth within the new and complex environment, promoting multilateral cooperation, and assuming a more significant role in regional and international governance.

Zhang Ming, SCO secretary-general, acknowledged in an interview with RIA Novosti in May that member countries are committed to creating favorable conditions for addressing the Ukraine crisis appropriately. They are making concerted efforts to overcome the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. Given that none of the SCO members is directly involved in the conflict, the organization’s role is limited to mediation, aiming to prevent the crisis from spilling over and escalating, as per Sun Zhuangzhi.

While Western countries impose unilateral sanctions and contribute to the intensification of the conflict, SCO members are striving to mitigate the negative repercussions by enhancing cooperation in transportation, energy, trade, and investment, noted Sun Zhuangzhi.

The SCO summit serves as a testament to the organization’s growing authority and influence, attracting interest from countries and international institutions seeking to engage in equitable dialogue and cooperate with the SCO. Russian President Vladimir Putin, welcoming Iran’s accession to the SCO, stressed the importance of assisting Tehran in adapting to the organization’s processes. Putin also expressed support for Belarus’ prompt inclusion in the SCO during the virtual summit.

In conclusion, the SCO summit, with Iran’s membership as a key highlight, underscores President Xi Jinping’s call for enhanced solidarity and mutual trust among the organization’s members. As the SCO enters a new phase of expansion and confronts various challenges, its members must fortify their internal coordination and dialogue while pursuing wider-ranging cooperation. By upholding the principles of respect, non-interference, and win-win cooperation, the SCO is poised to strengthen regional peace, safeguard common security, and promote economic recovery, thus contributing to global stability and prosperity.