ASTANA, July 4 /Correspondent LP/Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday called on Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) members to ensure security in the face of real threats stemming from Cold War mentalities.
Xi made these remarks at the 24th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO. He urged member states to embrace a vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security. Xi advocated addressing complex security challenges through dialogue and coordination, responding to the rapidly changing international landscape with a win-win approach to foster lasting peace and universal security.
He praised Kazakhstan’s significant contributions during its rotating presidency for enhancing the SCO’s operational mechanisms and deepening cooperation across various fields. Xi also welcomed Belarus, attending the SCO summit as a member state for the first time.
Xi highlighted that the SCO was founded at the turn of the century when unresolved confrontations and divisions from the Cold War persisted. The founding members made a historical decision to pursue peaceful development, commit to good-neighborliness and friendship, and build a new type of international relations. The “Shanghai Spirit” has since become a shared value and guiding principle for member states.
With the addition of its 10th member state in 23 years, Xi noted that the SCO’s foundation for cooperation has become more robust, now encompassing a growing family of nations across three continents.
Amid accelerating global changes, Xi emphasized that human society stands at a historical crossroads. He asserted that the SCO is on the right side of history, promoting fairness and justice, and holds significant global importance.
Xi called on SCO members to safeguard the right to development in the face of the real risks posed by “small yard, high fences.” He stressed the importance of mutual benefits and inclusiveness, encouraging joint efforts to advance scientific and technological innovation, maintain stable industrial and supply chains, stimulate regional economic growth, and achieve common development goals.
Xi also urged members to consolidate unity and jointly oppose external interference, addressing real challenges of division and external meddling. He emphasized the need for mutual support, accommodating each other’s concerns, handling internal differences harmoniously, resolving cooperation difficulties by seeking common ground while reserving differences, and taking control of their countries’ destinies and regional peace and development.
Xi concluded by highlighting the SCO’s resilience in the face of changing international landscapes, attributing this to the organization’s commitment to solidarity, cooperation, fairness, justice, inclusiveness, and mutual learning. He called on member states to remain true to their original aspirations, uphold the “Shanghai Spirit,” support each other’s paths to success, maintain the SCO’s development direction, and build the organization into a reliable backbone for the common prosperity and revitalization of its member states.
