Tianjin: Chinese President Xi Jinping has unveiled a sweeping vision for a new world order, urging the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) to emerge as a counterbalance to Western-led structures of power. Addressing the SCO summit in Tianjin, Xi stressed the need for “equal and orderly multipolarization” and inclusive economic globalization, while signaling China’s determination to lead a shift in global governance.
The gathering brought together more than 20 heads of state, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, making it the largest SCO meeting to date. Xi used the platform to emphasize that the future of international relations should be defined by cooperation, respect for sovereignty, and opposition to hegemonic practices. His words were widely viewed as a direct critique of U.S. policies, particularly Washington’s trade restrictions and geopolitical strategies in Asia.
Xi presented the SCO as a model of collective security and partnership, contrasting it with what he described as the “Cold War mentality” still shaping much of the West’s approach. He called on member states to strengthen cooperation in energy, infrastructure, science, technology, and artificial intelligence, positioning the bloc as a hub of innovation and sustainable growth. “The SCO must act as a frontier for fairer global governance,” Xi told delegates, underscoring the bloc’s potential to shape the next era of international politics.
As a demonstration of commitment, Xi announced substantial financial pledges to SCO countries. China will provide 2 billion yuan (approximately US$280 million) in grants and extend 10 billion yuan in loans through a new SCO banking consortium. The initiative is aimed at supporting economic projects across the bloc while deepening financial integration among member states. Analysts say these commitments highlight Beijing’s strategy of blending diplomacy with economic incentives to strengthen its influence.
Beyond economics, Xi reinforced the need for security cooperation, declaring that the SCO must resist interference in internal affairs and safeguard regional stability. He urged the bloc to stand united against terrorism, separatism, and extremism while rejecting unilateral sanctions and protectionist trade barriers. The message resonated with many leaders from the Global South, who see the SCO as a potential platform to amplify their voices on the global stage.
The summit also carried symbolic weight. Coming at a time of heightened trade tensions between the United States and India, as well as ongoing conflicts in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, the Tianjin meeting projected an image of solidarity among nations seeking alternatives to Western-dominated alliances. Xi’s proposals reflected China’s broader ambition to transform the SCO from a regional grouping into a cornerstone of a multipolar global system.
While the full impact of Xi’s vision remains to be seen, the SCO summit highlighted Beijing’s growing confidence in promoting its worldview. By combining political rhetoric with concrete financial commitments, China has positioned itself not just as a regional power but as a global architect offering an alternative order one that appeals strongly to nations dissatisfied with existing structures of power.