Xi urges SCO to foster 'universal security' at Bishkek summit

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday urged the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to prioritize regional stability and "foster an environment of universal security" as the bloc opened its 25th anniversary summit in the Kyrgyz capital. Speaking at the Council of Heads of State meeting in Bishkek, Xi called on the Eurasian grouping to uphold dialogue and consultation while improving governance "in a fair and orderly manner," according to Xinhua News. The gathering convenes amid ongoing regional conflicts including the war in Ukraine and tensions in the Middle East.

Development initiatives and Belt and Road

Xi said China views the SCO as a priority area for Belt and Road cooperation and the Global Development Initiative. "China sees the Shanghai Cooperation Organization as a priority area for high-quality joint construction of the Belt and Road and implementation of the Global Development Initiative," Xi said. He added that Beijing is ready to help build the SCO into an "important platform for implementing the Global Security Initiative" and announced the establishment of a China-SCO basic education cooperation center to promote educational exchanges.

Anniversary summit draws regional leaders

The two-day summit, which began Monday, has drawn leaders from across Eurasia including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif are also attending the gathering in Bishkek. Xi emphasized that the grouping should "lay a solid foundation for friendship across generations" and "usher in a future of shared prosperity."