The Shanghai Spirit: SCO Summit Delivers Strong Message of Unity and a Comprehensive Tianjin Declaration

The 2025 Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit (Aug 31 to Sep 1, 2025), held in the northern port city of Tianjin, China, where numerous world leaders and heads of international organisations have gathered, has now concluded.  In 2001, this significant alliance came to life as a Eurasian security bloc, originally uniting six nations: China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Today, it has expanded its membership to ten, welcoming Belarus, India, Iran, and Pakistan into the fold. This dynamic group has evolved its focus to encompass not just security but also trade and economic collaboration, establishing itself as a pivotal Asian counterbalance to Western influence.

As leaders have gathered in the thriving town of Tianjin, 137 km from China’s capital, Beijing, all eyes are now on the Tianjin declaration of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)—a signed document aimed at boosting cooperation in security, economics, and cultural exchange. It is undeniable that exciting times lie ahead for this influential bloc.

DOCUMENT: Tianjin Declaration of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China)
Tianjin Declaration of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization — Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China

On Monday, President Xi Jinping officially opened the meeting with leaders from SCO member nations, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

VIDEO: President Xi Jinping kicked off the official meeting with leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation(SCO) (Source: South China Morning Post)

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In a striking display of unity, three significant global powers—China, India, and Russia—came together, putting aside their differences with the United States,  to showcase a remarkable front of solidarity. Making his first visit to China in seven years, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi even took the hands of his counterparts—Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping—drawing them closer in an emblematic gesture that spoke volumes about their alliance.

Earlier today, Modi and Putin shared a warm embrace on the red carpet, exchanging friendly greetings before strolling hand in hand toward a beaming Xi, who eagerly awaited their arrival. On the sidelines of the SCO meetings, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed to Russian President Vladimir Putin the importance of deepening collaboration “in all sectors,” including trade, fertilisers, space, security and culture.” This statement, which Modi shared on X, clearly signals that New Delhi remains committed to its crude oil imports from Russia, despite facing considerable pressure from the US.

During a captivating moment, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, Modi warmly extended an invitation to Putin, subtly hinting at his stance toward US President Donald Trump. With palpable excitement, Modi remarked:

“1.4 billion Indians are eagerly waiting for you.”

Earlier today, Russian President Vladimir Putin gave a powerful speech regarding the Ukraine crisis, attributing the conflict to provocations by the West and NATO. He emphasises that it was the 2014 coup in Ukraine, rather than Russia, that instigated the crisis, and commends China, India, and other countries for their roles in promoting peace initiatives. Putin also vows to disclose new information about his notable meeting in Alaska with former U.S. President Donald Trump. Analysts suggest that his comments represent a direct challenge to Western narratives and highlight Russia’s position on global security and multipolar diplomacy.

VIDEO: President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin’s speech on Ukraine and NATO at the SCO Summit 2025 in China (Source: OneIndia

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Earlier today, the Russian news agency TASS reported on X, a list of documents released by the Kremlin, which were signed and adopted following the meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO Member States. The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit will conclude with the signing of the Tianjin Declaration, which addresses urgent regional and international matters, along with the SCO Development Strategy extending to 2035.

DOCUMENTS: The Kremlin published a list of documents signed and adopted following the meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO Member States  (Original version in Russian, translated in English) (Source: TASS via X)
Kremlin Signed Documents

During the SCO summit, President Xi Jinping of China expressed strong disapproval of what he described as geopolitical “bullying,” urging his fellow leaders to abandon the “Cold War mentality” that appears to reflect U.S. policies. The two-day summit wrapped up with a joint statement that specifically criticised U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff strategy, along with other aggressive actions aimed at the member states. The summit participants collectively condemned unilateral coercive measures, especially those involving economic sanctions, which have severely impacted China and India. Importantly, the statement also denounced the assaults by Israel and the U.S. on Iran’s nuclear facilities that occurred in June. Furthermore, the member states voiced serious concern regarding the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, calling for an immediate “comprehensive, lasting ceasefire” and the provision of unobstructed humanitarian aid to assist those in need. The summit also addressed regional violence, denouncing the tragic Pahalgam attack in Kashmir from April that led to numerous fatalities, mainly among Indian tourists.

The atmosphere of unity among the member states at the summit underscores their shared commitment to peace and collaboration in the face of US hegemony…

Victoria Bela reports for The South China Morning Post…

6 takeaways from the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit opening

Xi Jinping urges members’ cooperation and setting up a development bank, as Vladimir Putin blames NATO for Ukraine crisis.

Chinese President Xi Jinping called on members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to uphold international fairness and justice while pursuing mutually beneficial economic and cultural cooperation.

Xi made the remarks at the official meeting of the SCO leaders during their annual summit in China’s northern city of Tianjin on Monday.

Alongside a keynote speech by Xi, leaders from Belarus, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Russia gave speeches.

The Post outlines some of the key takeaways from Monday’s summit.

1. Upholding fairness and justice

Xi urged the states to uphold fairness and justice, engage in multilateralism and advocate for inclusive economic globalisation and an equitable global governance system. He said that the member states should oppose a cold war mentality, hegemonism, bloc confrontation and bullying, as well as promote a correct view of World War II history.

The states must uphold the international system with the United Nations at its core and support the multilateral trade system with the World Trade Organisation at its core, Xi said.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, in his speech, said now was a difficult time in which a new international order is being formed, moving from a unipolar model to a “fair multipolar system”, according to the Belarusian Telegraph Agency (BelTA).

2. Financial cooperation

Xi said an SCO development bank should be set up “as soon as possible” to provide stronger support for the economic cooperation and security of the member states. China plans to implement over 100 “small and beautiful” projects, providing 2 billion yuan (US$280 million) in grant aid to SCO member states this year, he said.

Xi said China would extend an additional 10 billion yuan (US$1.4 billion) in loans to members of the SCO Interbank Consortium, an alliance of major banks, over the next three years.

Lukashenko said there was a need for an independent financial mechanism of the SCO that could finance cross-border projects, stimulate the use of national currencies for trade and mitigate the pressure of sanctions.

3. Mutually beneficial cooperation

Xi urged the member states to seek common ground while respecting their differences, describing all SCO member states as friends and partners.

Xi proposed that member states boost cooperation in a wide range of areas, including energy, infrastructure, green industries, digital economy, scientific and technological innovation and artificial intelligence.

He urged the states to uphold mutual benefit and win-win outcomes by jointly building the Belt and Road Initiative and leveraging the advantages of the SCO’s vast scale and complementary economies.

4. Cultural and educational exchanges

Xi said people of all countries have always shared their knowledge and learned from one another’s strengths and that the SCO members should get to know each other better to coexist harmoniously.

Over the next five years, China would establish 10 Luban Workshops in SCO member countries, offering 10,000 training positions for human resources development, he added.

Starting next year, China would double the number of SCO special scholarships, implement an innovative doctoral training program, and jointly cultivate outstanding academic and scientific talent, Xi said.

5. Ukraine crisis

Putin said the crisis in Ukraine arose as a result of a Western-instigated coup in the country and that attempts to draw Ukraine into Nato were among the main causes of the conflict.

The Russian leader said the causes of the conflict must be eliminated and a security balance restored to bring about a long-term and sustainable resolution.

Russia values the efforts and proposals from China, India and other strategic partners aimed at easing the settlement of the crisis, Putin added.

6. Role of the SCO

Xi said the SCO had become a “proactive force for world peace and development”, including tackling the “three evils” of terrorism, separatism and extremism.

The SCO had grown into the world’s largest regional organisation, he added, with 26 members cooperating in over 50 areas and tallying a total economic output approaching US$30 trillion.

The SCO’s international influence and appeal are increasing by the day and should carry on the “Shanghai spirit” in a world fraught with challenges, Xi added.

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Source: https://21stcenturywire.com/2025/09/01/the-shanghai-spirit-sco-summit-delivers-strong-message-of-unity-and-a-comprehensive-tianjin-declaration/