At yesterday’s (September 1) Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin, Chinese President Xi Jinping unveiled a “Global Governance Initiative” for the first time, calling for a fairer and more equitable international order, opposing double standards, and ensuring the equal application of international law. He emphasized enhancing the representation and voice of developing countries in global affairs.
The summit adopted the Tianjin Declaration and approved several key cooperation mechanisms, including the establishment of the SCO Development Bank and a center for integrated security threats and challenges. Xi noted that the organization has gradually evolved into a regional body involving around 26 countries and covering multiple areas of cooperation, with a substantial combined economic scale.
Xi also announced plans to launch multiple cooperation platforms and centers in areas such as energy, green industries, digital economy, technological innovation, higher education, and vocational training. Large-scale energy and research projects are planned across member states in the coming years. China will provide some member states with aid and strengthen cooperation under financing and multilateral frameworks.
The SCO summit highlights China’s push to expand its global influence and leadership, aiming to build a governance framework that complements—or potentially reshapes—the existing international order through economic, technological, and security collaboration.