The member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) have brought about groundbreaking and historic achievements in the organisation's development and cooperation, said President Xi Jinping.

Xi made the remarks while addressing the 25th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO in Tianjin on Monday.

"We were the first to set up a military confidence-building mechanism in our border areas, turning our extensive borders into a bond of friendship, mutual trust and cooperation," Xi said, as he listed a series of "firsts" accomplished by the SCO member states.

They were the first to take multilateral actions against the three forces of terrorism, separatism and extremism, and were the first to launch Belt and Road cooperation, he said.

"We were the first to conclude a treaty on long-term good-neighborliness, friendship and cooperation, proclaiming our commitment to forge lasting friendship and refrain from hostilities," Xi added.

The member states were also the first to put forth the vision of global governance featuring extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit as an effort to practice true multilateralism, he said.

Xi pledged to provide 2 billion yuan in grant to SCO member states within this year.

China will also issue an additional 10 billion yuan in loan to the member banks of the SCO Interbank Consortium over the next three years, he added.

China's investment stock in other SCO member states has exceeded US$84 billion, and its annual bilateral trade with other SCO member states has surpassed US$500 billion, according to Xi.

President Xi said the SCO has grown into the world's largest regional organisation.

"Its international influence and appeal are increasing day by day," he said.

Xi said SCO member states should seek common ground while putting aside differences.

"SCO member states are all friends and partners," he said, calling on the member states to respect their differences, maintain strategic communication, build up consensus, and strengthen solidarity and collaboration.

"We need to better align our development strategies and promote the high-quality implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative."

Xi added that SCO member states should champion openness and inclusiveness.

"SCO member states need to enhance mutual understanding and friendship through people-to-people exchanges, firmly support one another in economic cooperation, and jointly cultivate a garden of civilizations in which all cultures flourish in prosperity and harmony through mutual enlightenment," he said.

The president also criticised "bullying behaviour" in the world order.

He called on the leaders to "adhere to fairness and justice... oppose Cold War mentality, camp confrontation, and bullying behaviour" in his speech.

"The current international situation is becoming chaotic and intertwined.

"The security and development tasks facing member states have become even more challenging.

"Looking back, despite tumultuous times, we have achieved success by practicing the Shanghai spirit," he said, referring to the name of the group.

"Looking to the future, with the world undergoing turbulence and transformation, we must continue to follow the Shanghai spirit, keep our feet on the ground, forge ahead, and better perform the functions of the organisation." (Xinhua, with additional reporting by AFP)
_____________________________
Last updated: 2025-09-01 HKT 11:50