China’s Xi Brings Global Leaders Together at SCO Summit

(MENAFN) Chinese President Xi Jinping is convening a high-stakes summit Sunday in Tianjin, bringing together global leaders for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), according to Chinese media.

Xi engaged in bilateral talks with key figures, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

In discussions with Aliyev, Xi reaffirmed China’s backing for Azerbaijan’s SCO membership bid, emphasizing the need for “strategic communication” and deeper cooperation across multiple sectors. The two nations also inked several agreements covering artificial intelligence, technological innovation, finance, media, and other fields.

Meeting with Pashinyan, Xi announced a new strategic partnership between China and Armenia, asserting Beijing’s support for Armenia’s integration into the SCO framework.

During talks with Lukashenko, Xi called for mutual, unwavering support on core national interests and major concerns. The two countries signed agreements spanning science and technology, finance, metrology, media, transportation, customs inspection, and quarantine.

Xi’s Saturday meetings included Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, Myanmar’s acting President Min Aung Hlaing, Nepali Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

Marking its fifth annual summit hosted by China since its inception in 2001, the SCO gathering takes place amid intensifying geopolitical crises—including the Israel-Gaza conflict, ongoing warfare in Ukraine, and mounting global trade tensions. Xi, acting as the rotating chair, will lead the sessions on Sunday and Monday.

More than 20 heads of state and 10 international organization leaders are participating, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Iranian President Masood Pezeshkian, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Both Guterres and SCO Secretary-General Nurlan Yermekbayev will also attend.

Participants are expected to ratify the Tianjin Declaration and approve a comprehensive 10-year strategy, alongside key outcome documents focused on security, trade, energy, and cultural collaboration. The summit will also issue commemorative statements marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and the establishment of the United Nations.

Originally formed as the “Shanghai Five” by China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, the SCO expanded with Uzbekistan’s addition and now counts 10 member states, two observers, and 14 dialogue partners across Asia, Europe, and Africa.

The organization spans roughly 24% of the world’s landmass and includes 42% of the global population. Its members account for about one-quarter of global GDP, with trade volumes surging nearly 100 times over the past two decades.

China’s trade with SCO members, observers, and dialogue partners hit a record $890 billion in 2024, representing 14.4% of China’s total foreign trade.

The previous SCO leaders’ summit, held in Kazakhstan in July 2024, produced 25 strategic documents covering energy, security, finance, and information security.

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