^{Photo: South China Morning Post}

A Summit of Unprecedented Scale

Chinese President Xi Jinping opened the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin with a call for unity, innovation, and cooperation in artificial intelligence. The gathering, the largest since the bloc’s founding in 2001, drew more than 20 world leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Xi used the platform to stress that the world should resist falling back into “Cold War mentality” rivalries and instead focus on creating shared growth opportunities. His remarks come at a time when China faces persistent trade disputes with the United States, Russia continues its war in Ukraine, and conflicts in the Middle East threaten global stability.

Expanding China’s Economic Footprint in SCO Nations

China has already invested over $84 billion across other SCO member states, spanning infrastructure, energy, and technology. Xi further pledged support for 10,000 students to participate in Beijing’s “Luban” vocational education program, which provides practical training in engineering, technology, and skilled trades.

This educational initiative underscores China’s strategy to link long-term economic investments with human capital development, ensuring its influence extends beyond financial commitments. By aligning economic aid with workforce training, Beijing aims to strengthen the bloc’s industrial and technological capacity.

High-Level Diplomacy on Display

The summit also featured a rare moment of unity when Xi briefly joined Putin and Modi for a group photo with all SCO leaders. Though symbolic, this image highlighted the importance of dialogue in a region where political and territorial disputes often run deep.

Over the weekend leading into the summit, Xi held bilateral talks with at least 10 foreign leaders, including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet. His meeting with Modi emphasized the need for India and China—representing a combined 2.8 billion people—to prioritize cooperation over rivalry.

India’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs echoed this sentiment, noting that a relationship built on “mutual respect, mutual interest, and mutual sensitivity” was crucial for both nations’ development.

China’s Push to Position Itself as a Global Peacemaker

Beyond economic pledges, Xi sought to frame China as a stabilizing force in global politics. Analysts noted that Beijing’s effort to strengthen ties with India could shift regional power balances and enhance China’s credibility as a peace broker.

Marko Papic, chief strategist at GeoMacro Strategy, argued that repairing relations with India could give New Delhi access to critical intellectual property needed to scale its manufacturing sector. At the same time, he warned that the U.S. risks losing its narrative advantage, as multipolarity becomes increasingly entrenched.

Henry Huiyao Wang, founder of the Center for China and Globalization, added that China’s unique position between Russia, India, and Pakistan could allow it to play a mediating role in conflicts, particularly in Ukraine. He suggested that the SCO, with its broad membership, could eventually serve as a guarantor of security in volatile regions.

Broader Implications for the SCO

The SCO summit is not just about bilateral meetings—it reflects the bloc’s growing influence on global governance. Originally founded by China, Russia, and Central Asian states, the organization has since expanded to include India, Pakistan, and others, collectively representing nearly half of the world’s population.

Observers expect the summit to conclude with a joint statement outlining commitments to deeper economic and security cooperation. China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi, is scheduled to hold a press conference to detail the outcomes and announce new multilateral initiatives.

Outlook

While the summit’s immediate impact remains uncertain, China’s emphasis on AI cooperation, economic integration, and educational exchange signals a clear strategy: position the SCO as a counterweight to Western alliances while promoting Beijing as a reliable partner in peace and development.

As global tensions rise, the SCO could become an increasingly important platform for reshaping the economic and political architecture of Eurasia—one where China is determined to play a leading role.

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