President Xi Jinping on Sunday called on the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to strengthen its role in ensuring regional peace and stability, positioning China as a reliable force for the developing world. Addressing dozens of state leaders at a welcome banquet during the SCO summit in Tianjin, Xi stated the institution is a crucial element in “promoting the building of a new type of international relations.”
According to the state news agency Xinhua, Xi noted the world is experiencing a period of rapid change, marked by increased instability and unpredictability. “The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation has an even greater duty to maintain regional peace and stability and promote the progress and prosperity of all countries,” he said.
The remarks underscore China’s efforts to establish itself as a leading voice for the developing world, with analysts suggesting the SCO summit provides beijing an opportunity to foster unity with the global South. This push for influence coincides with Beijing’s broader strategy to garner international support for reshaping the global order, notably as the United States, under President Donald Trump, demonstrates a potential shift away from global leadership and engages in ongoing trade disputes.