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Chinese President Xi Jinping has called on members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) to work together economically and securely, moving away from the Western-led world order. Speaking at an SCO summit in Tianjin, China, he outlined his vision for the rise of the so-called “Global South.”
“We should advocate for equal and orderly multi-polarization of the world,” Xi said.
Steve Tsang, author of the forthcoming book *China’s Global Strategy under Xi Jinping*, told *Newsweek* that Xi’s comments show how he is working to transform the existing international order into a Sino-centric one.
**Why It Matters**
The SCO is an Eurasian bloc established in 2001 and has expanded to include economic heavyweights like India, serving as a counterweight to Western countries such as the G7.
**What To Know**
At the SCO summit, Xi addressed more than 20 world leaders. He highlighted the bloc’s role as a model for new international relations and called for enhanced cooperation in trade and energy, science, and artificial intelligence. China has invested $84 billion in other SCO countries and supported 10,000 students in Beijing’s “Luban” vocational education program.
Xi pledged $280 million in funding for SCO member states this year and called for an SCO Development Bank to be set up soon.
He vowed to oppose “hegemonism,” “Cold War mentality,” and “bullying practices.”
**What People Are Saying**
At the SCO summit, Xi said: “We should advocate for equal and orderly multi-polarization of the world, inclusive economic globalization, and promote a more just and equitable global governance system.” He added: “We must take advantage of the mega-scale market.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin echoed these sentiments at the same summit, stating that the SCO “unlike Euro-centric and Euro-Atlantic models, would genuinely consider the interests of a broad range of countries, be truly balanced, and would not allow one country to ensure its own security at the expense of others.”
**What Happens Next**
In another diplomatic statement, a massive military parade is set to take place on Wednesday. Expected attendees include Russian President Vladimir Putin, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, and around two dozen other leaders.
Chinese President Xi Jinping at the SCO Summit 2025 in Tianjin, China. Credit: So Takekuma/Getty Images
