Chinese President Xi Jinping unveiled his vision for a new global security and economic order while addressing world leaders at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin on Monday. He urged member states to leverage their vast market potential, expand cooperation in critical sectors, and promote an alternative to the U.S.-led international framework. The summit, which gathered over 20 leaders, underscored growing momentum for Global South solidarity.
Xi highlighted that the SCO has become a model of international cooperation and called for equal and orderly multipolarisation of the world. He emphasized the need for inclusive globalisation and a fair global governance system. China also pledged 2 billion yuan ($280 million) in aid for member countries this year and 10 billion yuan in loans through the SCO banking consortium, strengthening its economic outreach.
In his address, Xi urged the bloc to deepen collaboration in areas such as energy, infrastructure, technology, and artificial intelligence. He stressed that member nations must take advantage of their combined mega-scale markets to expand trade and investment facilitation. This approach, he said, would help developing economies withstand global tariff uncertainties and foster long-term resilience.
Moreover, Xi warned against returning to Cold War-era divisions and bloc confrontations. He advocated for supporting multilateral trade systems, indirectly criticizing U.S. tariff policies that have disrupted trade flows. For example, India’s exports recently faced a sharp 50% tariff hike, which disproportionately affected its economy. His remarks highlighted China’s positioning as a defender of multilateralism against unilateral trade measures.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, along with leaders from South Asia, Central Asia, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia, attended the high-profile summit, signaling broad regional support. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also recognized China’s fundamental role in safeguarding global multilateralism, praising its leadership in strengthening cooperation during a period of geopolitical uncertainty.
The two-day summit also marked Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first visit to China in seven years. Both leaders described their nations as development partners rather than rivals and agreed to explore ways to improve trade ties. Analysts believe China is using this year’s largest-ever SCO meeting to present its vision of a multipolar order, contrasting sharply with U.S. policies marked by unpredictability and retreat from international organisations.