Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit shows how China, India, Russia and others think they are standing up to a 'Western-centric' world
It was held in the Chinese city of Tianjin the largest summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) so far, which brought together more than 20 heads of state, including the Russian president Vladimir Putin and the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as well as representatives of international organizations. The meeting was held in the midst of global tensions - from the war in Ukraine and Gaza, to the growing trade conflicts initiated by the policy of economic protectionism of US President Donald Trump. During the two-day talks, the leaders focused on multipolarity, security, economic cooperation, energy, digitization and sustainable development.
Chinese President Xi Jinping said that China is ready to join forces with the members of the SCO in order to "quality development" of the organization, noting that the total volume of economies of the member countries has reached almost 30 trillion dollars. At the summit, the Chinese leader also presented an "initiative for global governance" and called on all countries to work towards creating a "common destiny for mankind". "The Shanghai Cooperation Organization will make a greater contribution to promoting cooperation among member countries, gathering the forces of the Global South, and advancing human civilization," Xi said.
Armed conflicts and declaration
At the meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO member states, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that the crisis in Ukraine did not arise as a result of Russia's "attack" on that country, but as a result of a coup d'état in Ukraine, supported and encouraged by Western countries. According to him, the second key cause of the crisis lies in the West's continuous attempts to bring Ukraine into NATO, which represents a direct threat to Russia's security. He also expressed his belief that the "understandings" reached at the summit in Alaska will "open the way to peace" in Ukraine.
Particular attention was drawn to the adopted Tianjin Declaration, in which the members condemned the US and Israel's military attacks on Iran and specifically warned against the inadmissibility of attacks on nuclear infrastructure during armed conflicts. They also called for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and expressed their readiness to participate in peace and development efforts in Afghanistan. The heads of state emphasized the need for joint action in facing the security challenges posed by the application of artificial intelligence, but also the need for "reform of the United Nations", so that the organization would better reflect contemporary political and economic realities, including greater participation of developing countries in its bodies.
Difference in worldviews
The summit in Tianjin highlighted the key differences in the approach to global challenges compared to Western models of crisis resolution. While Western powers, led by the US and the EU, often respond with sanctions, military interventions and political conditioning, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization advocates an approach based on multilateralism, economic integration and respect for state sovereignty.
The planned establishment of the SCO Development Bank is part of a broader strategy of creating alternative institutions that would mitigate the dominance of Western financial and political structures. Promoting equal cooperation among states and rejecting hegemonic practices and imposing interests, this model positions itself as an alternative to the Western-centric order, offering a more inclusive and balanced approach in international relations.
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