Largest-ever SCO Summit to open in Tianjin amid global attention

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit 2025 will be the largest since the organization's founding, bringing unprecedented international participation from over 20 heads of state and 10 international organizations, a Foreign Ministry official announced in a press conference in Beijing on Friday.

Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Bin presented details of the upcoming SCO Summit scheduled for Aug 31 and Sept 1, the fifth time China has hosted the SCO Summit, drawing significant interest from domestic and international media.

"The Tianjin Summit is one of China's most important head-of-state and home-ground diplomatic events of the year. President Xi Jinping will chair the meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State, where he and other member state leaders will engage in in-depth discussions on the topics such as promoting the Shanghai Spirit, improving institutional mechanisms, deepening multilateral cooperation, and advancing the development of the SCO, as well as major international and regional issues. President Xi will also preside over the 'SCO Plus' meeting, and have in-depth discussions with leaders of member states, observer states, dialogue partners, and countries invited in their capacity as guests of the chair on practicing multilateralism, safeguarding regional security, and promoting sustainable development," said Liu.

"President Xi Jinping will deliver keynote speeches at both meetings, where he will outline China's new vision and proposals for SCO upholding the Shanghai Spirit, fulfilling missions in the current era, and responding to the expectations of the people. He will also announce new measures and actions by China to support the SCO's high-quality development and comprehensive cooperation, and put forward fresh approaches and pathways for the organization to play a constructive role in safeguarding the post-World War II international order and improving the global governance system," he said.

"President Xi Jinping will join other SCO leaders in signing and issuing the Tianjin Declaration, approving the organization's development strategy for the next decade, and releasing statements marking the 80th anniversaries of the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War and the founding of the United Nations. A series of outcome documents aimed at strengthening cooperation in security, the economy, and cultural exchanges will also be adopted, helping to chart the course for the SCO's future development. President Xi will host a welcome banquet for participating leaders and heads of international organizations, and hold an intensive series of bilateral meetings to plan and advance China's relations with participating countries. The Tianjin Summit is expected to become a new milestone in the SCO's history," said Liu.

In the face of a complex and turbulent international landscape, China hopes the Tianjin Summit will further build political consensus among SCO member states, unlock the potential for deeper cooperation, and promote joint action. A successful and friendly SCO Tianjin Summit, with fruitful outcomes, is expected to contribute the organization's strength to building a community with a shared future for humanity, he said.

Largest-ever SCO Summit to open in Tianjin amid global attention

Chinese goods are winning growing recognition worldwide, despite a complex and severe international political and economic landscape, Commerce Ministry spokesman He Yadong said at a press conference in Beijing on Thursday.

He said that since the beginning of this year, China's foreign trade has withstood the pressure of complex and severe international political and economic situations, maintaining a sound momentum of steady progress.

According to He, China's foreign trade in goods amounted to 20.68 trillion yuan (about 2.9 trillion U.S. dollars) in the first five months of this year, up 15.3 percent year on year.

"Chinese goods are stable in supply, reliable in quality, and advanced in technology, with growing global recognition. From January to May, the export of mechanical and electrical products increased by 18.4 percent, accounting for over 63 percent of China's total export value in the same period. The export of integrated circuits performed strongly, and the 'new trio' namely, electric vehicles, lithium-ion batteries, and photovoltaic products have continued to lead the global market," He said.

"China continues to deeply engage in the global market, and its trade layout has become more balanced and stable. From January to May, China's imports from and exports with Belt and Road partners increased by 13.6 percent, accounting for more than ‌51 percent‌ of China 's total foreign trade. Trade with ASEAN, Africa, and Latin America all maintained double-digit growth. China's 'circle of friends' for all-win cooperation continues to expand," said the spokesman.

Chinese products increasingly gain global recognition: commerce ministry