The 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin marks a turning point for global cooperation, with experts across the globe praising China’s role in revitalizing the organization’s vitality, advancing multipolarity, and promoting true multilateralism.
Leaders from Asia, Europe, and Africa are converging in the northern Chinese port city of Tianjin for the largest-ever SCO summit, which is being held from Sunday to Monday, where they will chart the course for regional cooperation and development in future.
Alexey Maslov, director of the Institute of the Asian and African Studies of Moscow State University, highlighted China’s role in energizing the SCO by proposing new agendas, boosting cross-border flows, and promoting global stability through flexible, multilateral dialogue.
"Under the framework of the SCO, China has put forward a range of new topics, greatly boosting the organization's vitality. China is actively working to facilitate the cross-border flow of goods, services, and new technologies within the SCO framework. At the same time, China is engaging in discussions on significant global stability issues with a sincere approach. The SCO is gradually evolving into a trans-regional international organization, addressing topics through a flexible and efficient consultation process," said Maslov.
Huang Yingxin, a member of the Malaysian Ministry of Environment's think tank, emphasized that the SCO serves as a crucial platform for fostering dialogue and cooperation, grounded in mutual trust amid global uncertainty.
"Malaysia highly values the Shanghai Spirit advocated by the SCO, particularly its emphasis on principles such as mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality and consultation. Against the backdrop of current global geopolitical uncertainties, we believe that the SCO can serve as a crucial platform for fostering dialogue and cooperation," said Huang.
Experts also believe the summit promotes true multilateralism and supports a balanced, multipolar world, highlighted by leaders from over 20 countries looking to expand global cooperation.
"The SCO summit will see the participation of leaders from more than 20 countries and heads of 10 international organizations. Attendees are eager to broaden the scope of international cooperation to foster the development of a multipolar world," said Safwan Qusay, chairman of the board of directors of the Ashur International Investment Bank in Iraq.
"Under the framework of the SCO, many countries that support global multipolarization are set to play significant roles. An equal and orderly multipolar world is a key hope for the international community today. We look forward to the outcomes of this summit, particularly in achieving important progress in regional security and international peace," said Khaled El-Shami, editor of the international affairs department at Al-Masry Al-Youm, an Egyptian newspaper.
Felix Kurz, a German journalist, voiced hope that the summit would help balance global interests, stressing the need for consensus over unilateral decision-making.
"I believe it's vital for countries to unite and express their interests collectively. We need to work together to achieve consensus, instead of allowing one side to dictate decisions while others are forced to comply. This is simply not acceptable. Therefore, I look forward to this summit achieving a better balance of interests among all parties involved," said Kurz.
SCO summit in Tianjin draws global praise for advancing multilateral cooperation
