Uniting the Power of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to Enhance Global Governance — Speech at the “Shanghai Cooperation Organization Plus” Conference

Dear Colleagues:

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War and the founding of the United Nations—a pivotal moment for remembering the past and forging a shared future. Eighty years ago, the devastation of two world wars prompted the international community to reflect deeply on its lessons, leading to the establishment of the United Nations and the ushering in of a new chapter in global governance. Today, eight decades later, the overarching trends of peace, development, cooperation, and win-win outcomes remain unchanged; yet the lingering shadows of Cold War mentality, hegemonism, and protectionism persist, while new threats and challenges continue to mount. The world has entered a new period of turbulence and transformation, and global governance now stands at a critical crossroads.

History teaches us that the more challenging the times, the more we must remain true to our original aspiration of peaceful coexistence, steadfastly uphold our confidence in win-win cooperation, and advance in accordance with the logic of historical progress and the tide of contemporary development.

To this end, I would like to put forward the Global Governance Initiative, working with all countries to promote the establishment of a more just and equitable global governance system and jointly advance the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind.

First, uphold sovereign equality. Adhere to the principle that all countries, regardless of size, strength, or wealth, should participate on an equal footing in global governance, make decisions on an equal basis, and enjoy equal benefits. Promote the democratization of international relations and enhance the representation and voice of developing countries.

Second, uphold the rule of law in international affairs. Fully and comprehensively abide by the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and other universally recognized basic norms governing international relations, ensure the equal and uniform application of international law and international rules, reject double standards, and refrain from imposing the “house rules” of a few countries on others.

Third, we must uphold multilateralism. We should adhere to the global governance vision of extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits; strengthen solidarity and cooperation; oppose unilateralism; firmly safeguard the status and authority of the United Nations; and ensure that the UN plays its irreplaceable and vital role in global governance.

Fourth, we should champion a people-centered approach. By reforming and improving the global governance system, we can ensure that all peoples have equal participation in and share in the outcomes of global governance, thereby better addressing the common challenges facing human society, narrowing the North–South development gap, and safeguarding the common interests of all nations.

Fifth, emphasize action-oriented approaches. Adhere to systematic planning and holistic advancement, coordinate global efforts in a unified manner, fully mobilize resources from all stakeholders, deliver more tangible outcomes, and use pragmatic cooperation to prevent governance lags and fragmentation.

Dear colleagues!

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization explicitly states in its Founding Declaration and Charter that it seeks to advance the international political and economic order toward greater democracy, fairness, and rationality. Over the past 24 years, upholding the “Shanghai Spirit” of mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diverse civilizations, and pursuit of common development, the Organization has adhered to the principles of joint deliberation on regional affairs, co-building of platforms and mechanisms, and shared benefits from cooperation. It has put forward and implemented numerous new concepts for global governance, thereby increasingly serving as a proactive driving force behind the building and reform of the global governance architecture.

In the face of a profound and accelerating transformation of the world—a change unseen in a century—the Shanghai Cooperation Organization must assume a leading role and set an exemplary standard in implementing global governance initiatives.

We must contribute the “Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s strength” to safeguarding world peace and stability. Guided by the shared goal of common security, all member states have concluded a long-term Treaty on Good-Neighborly Friendship and Cooperation, conducted security cooperation in an efficient manner, and thereby upheld the overall stability of the region. We should continue to adhere to the principles of non-alignment, non-confrontation, and non-targeting of third parties, join forces to address various threats and challenges, make full use of the newly established Comprehensive Center for Countering Security Threats and Challenges and the Drug Control Center, build a regional security community, and steadfastly serve as a force for stability in an increasingly turbulent world.

We must demonstrate the SCO’s commitment to advancing global openness and cooperation. Our member states are rich in energy and other resources, boast vast market sizes, and possess strong endogenous growth drivers, with their contribution to world economic growth steadily increasing. We should continue to uphold the principles of tearing down walls rather than building them and integrating rather than decoupling, advance high-quality joint efforts under the Belt and Road Initiative, and steer economic globalization toward greater inclusiveness and shared benefits.

China stands ready to actively share the opportunities presented by its ultra-large market and to continue implementing the Action Plan for High-Quality Development of Economic and Trade Cooperation within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization family. To this end, China will establish three major cooperation platforms—on energy, green industries, and the digital economy—and three major cooperation centers—on scientific and technological innovation, higher education, and vocational and technical education. Over the next five years, China will work with other SCO member states to launch new projects to develop photovoltaic capacity of 10 million kilowatts and wind power capacity of 10 million kilowatts. China is also committed to working with all parties to build a Center for Cooperation on Artificial Intelligence Applications and to share the benefits of AI development. China welcomes the use of the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System by all parties and encourages countries that are able to do so to participate in the construction of the International Lunar Research Station.

We must set an “SCO model” for promoting the common values of all humanity. Member states have showcased a wealth of achievements in people-to-people and cultural exchanges, with vibrant and robust grassroots interactions and a flourishing diversity of civilizations. We should continue to foster mutual learning and exchange among civilizations, writing a brilliant new chapter of peaceful, amicable, and harmonious coexistence among countries with different historical cultures, social systems, and stages of development.

China will successfully host the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Political Parties Forum, the Green and Sustainable Development Forum, and the Traditional Medicine Forum. Over the next five years, China will provide treatment for 500 patients with congenital heart disease from other SCO member states, perform 5,000 cataract surgeries, and conduct 10,000 cancer screenings.

We must take “Shanghai Cooperation Organization action” to safeguard international fairness and justice. All member states, upholding the principles of impartiality and equity, should engage constructively in international and regional affairs and defend the common interests of the Global South. We must continue to unequivocally oppose hegemonism and power politics, practice true multilateralism, and assume the pivotal role of a mainstay in advancing world multipolarization and the democratization of international relations.

China supports the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in expanding cooperation with multilateral mechanisms such as the United Nations, ASEAN, the Eurasian Economic Union, and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia, so as to jointly safeguard the international economic and trade order and jointly improve global and regional governance.

Dear colleagues!

“When one upholds the Great Dao, all under Heaven will follow.” In just two days, China will solemnly convene in Beijing a grand commemorative event marking the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, with numerous colleagues in attendance. China stands ready to work together with all parties to courageously uphold justice and steadfastly pursue the right path, to promote a correct understanding of World War II history, and to firmly safeguard the achievements of the war’s victory—so that the outcomes of advancing reform of the global governance system and building a community with a shared future for mankind will better and more fully benefit all humanity!

Thank you, everyone.