Foreign Media Discuss: The Shanghai Cooperation Organization Provides a Space for Dialogue and Cooperation Beyond the U.S.-led International System

The 2025 Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit will be held in Tianjin from August 31 to September 1. This is the fifth time China has hosted the SCO Summit, and it is also the largest one since the establishment of the SCO in 2001. More than 20 foreign leaders, including Russian President Putin and Indian Prime Minister Modi, as well as 10 heads of international organizations, are expected to attend.

Eric Olander, editor-in-chief of the U.S. South-Central Project website, told Qatar Al Jazeera that the reason this summit has attracted so many international leaders is that the SCO provides a space for dialogue and cooperation outside the "U.S.-led international system," opening up new strategic leeway for China in global affairs.

Cui Heng, a lecturer at the China-SCO International Judicial Exchange and Cooperation Training Base at Shanghai University of Political Science and Law, also analyzed that over the past two decades, the continuous expansion of the SCO has enabled it to go beyond the traditionally mentioned Central Asian core area, forming a unique niche. Currently, the SCO covers the Eurasian block and its "non-Western nature," making it difficult for any other international organization to compete with it. There are almost no alternative institutions, and it is possible that the members may continue to expand to other Eurasian countries in the future.

Guests Are "Global Heavyweights"

According to reports, the guest list for this year's SCO Summit is considered "global heavyweights," including more than 20 foreign leaders such as Russian President Putin, Indian Prime Minister Modi, Pakistani Prime Minister Sharif, and Belarusian President Lukashenko, as well as 10 heads of international organizations and multilateral mechanisms, such as UN Secretary-General Guterres and SCO Secretary-General Ermekov.

Qatar Al Jazeera noted that among the guests, Modi's visit to China after seven years is particularly noteworthy. Although India has long moved closer to the United States, recently, Trump imposed a 50% tariff on Indian goods citing India's purchase of Russian oil, which actually accelerated the easing of Sino-Indian relations.

In a written response to Japan's Yomiuri Shimbun, Modi stated that this visit "comes at a critical moment for Sino-Indian relations." He emphasized that bilateral relations are very important for regional peace and prosperity. He said, "Stable, predictable, and friendly relations between the two largest countries on Earth can have a positive impact on regional and global peace... It is also crucial for Asia and world multipolarity."

Analysts believe that China intends to further promote strategic dialogue between China and India through this summit. Claus Soong, an analyst at the Mercator Institute for China Studies who specializes in China's global strategy, predicts that official statements after the summit will become an important signal for observing the development of Sino-Indian relations.

Qatar Al Jazeera pointed out that Putin's arrival has also drawn much attention. This is his first visit to China after his meeting with Trump in Alaska at the beginning of this month, and the public will closely watch the wording regarding Sino-Russian relations in the statement.

Russian TASS reported that on the evening of August 30, Russia's Presidential Assistant for International Affairs, Ushakov, held a press conference to introduce the schedule of Putin's visit to China. Ushakov said that Putin will lead a "large-scale" delegation to China, and staying in China for such a long time is rare. He also revealed that Putin is expected to meet with several foreign leaders during his stay in China.

On the same day, before departing for China, Putin praised the partnership between the two countries as a "stabilizing force" in the world in an interview with Xinhua News Agency. He emphasized that Russia and China have formed a "united front" to jointly oppose discriminatory sanctions in world trade, which hinder the socio-economic development of BRICS member states and the entire world.

The New York Times noted that leaders from numerous emerging economies, including Putin, Modi, Pakistan, Turkey, and Malaysia, are meeting in China, which contrasts sharply with the growing divisions within the U.S., Europe, and their Asian allies.

Olander stated that the SCO has become an important component of China's "parallel international governance structure," creating a space for dialogue and cooperation outside the "U.S.-led international system." Especially in the context of Trump's reckless trade wars against multiple countries around the globe, participants can share their "common dissatisfaction" at the SCO Summit.

"China is not only a participant in shaping regional order but also a major designer and host," said Rabia Akhtar, director of the Center for Security, Strategy, and Policy Studies at Lahore University of Management Sciences, analyzing for CNN. She said that China wants to tell the world that it has the ability to bring rivals to sit together and turn great power competition into controllable mutual dependence.

It is reported that after the summit on September 1, some of the attending leaders will remain to hold bilateral meetings and then travel to Beijing to attend the September 3 military parade. At that time, leaders from North Korea, Serbia, Slovakia, and others will also attend the parade.

Claus Soong pointed out that the large number of guests attracted by the SCO Summit and the subsequent September 3 military parade will further enhance China's influence in the Global South, "this is how China demonstrates its circle of friends."

The SCO was founded in 2001 by China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. After more than 20 years of development, the SCO has continuously expanded its influence and the number of member states. It has now developed into a "SCO family" covering 26 countries across Asia, Europe, and Africa - from the initial six founding members, to the subsequent addition of four new members, India, Pakistan, Iran, and Belarus, and then to two observer states, Afghanistan and Mongolia, and 14 dialogue partners. More and more countries hope to join the SCO. Countries such as Armenia and Azerbaijan, who attended this summit, had previously expressed their desire to join the SCO, and even Turkey, a NATO member, has shown interest in joining.

Now, the SCO is the largest regional group in terms of population and possesses the world's largest energy reserves.

Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1841983286402249/

Statement: The article represents the personal views of the author.