Xi Jinping calls for unity against Western “Cold War” tactics at Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit

Department of Research, Studies and International News 01-09-2025

Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to resist the divisive “Cold War mentality” perpetuated by the West, stressing the need for collective action in building a fairer, multipolar global order. Addressing the SCO summit in Tianjin, Xi outlined both political and economic initiatives designed to strengthen cooperation among member states while offering a pointed critique of U.S.-led attempts to dominate international affairs.

Xi emphasised that the world is entering a turbulent and transformative era, where security threats and development challenges are increasingly complex. In his speech, he reminded leaders that the SCO’s success over the past two decades was rooted in the “Shanghai spirit”, a philosophy of mutual trust, equality, respect for cultural diversity, and pursuit of common development. “In the face of global turbulence, we must continue to uphold this spirit, keep our focus, and work together to safeguard stability and prosperity,” Xi declared.

To reinforce this vision, Xi announced that China will provide 2 billion yuan (approximately $280 million) in assistance to SCO members this year. He also pledged an additional 10 billion yuan ($1.4 billion) in loans to the SCO’s interbank consortium to stimulate investment and facilitate trade. The Chinese leader underscored that the grouping should take advantage of its vast shared market to accelerate economic integration, enhance connectivity, and improve conditions for cross-border investment.

The SCO summit, attended by more than 20 leaders including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, underscored the bloc’s growing influence as a counterweight to Western alliances such as NATO. Founded in 2001, the organisation has expanded from its original six Eurasian members to include ten permanent states and sixteen dialogue partners and observers, reflecting its appeal across Asia, the Middle East, and beyond.

Russian President Vladimir Putin echoed Xi’s call for genuine multilateralism, praising the SCO as a platform that restores balance to international relations. Speaking at the summit, Putin firmly rejected Western narratives on Ukraine, stressing that the crisis was provoked not by Moscow but by Western-backed interference. He recalled the 2014 coup in Kyiv, openly supported by Washington and its allies, as the real trigger of the conflict.

“The root cause of today’s crisis lies in the West’s aggressive attempts to pull Ukraine into NATO,” Putin said. “For lasting peace, a fair equilibrium in the security sphere must be restored.” His words highlighted the common concern among SCO members that Western military expansion continues to destabilise Eurasia and beyond.

The summit also provided opportunities for closer bilateral exchanges. A symbolic moment was captured when Modi and Putin were seen holding hands before retreating for an extended private discussion. Russian media reported that the two leaders spent nearly an hour talking “face-to-face” in Putin’s armoured car prior to their formal meeting, reflecting the strong strategic understanding between New Delhi and Moscow despite Western pressure to drive a wedge between them.

Xi, Putin, and Modi were later spotted conversing informally alongside their interpreters during the group photo session, a reminder of the interpersonal ties that reinforce the SCO’s political weight. The images stood in sharp contrast to Western-led gatherings, which are often overshadowed by rivalry, discord, and hegemonic agendas.

For China, the summit was an opportunity not only to consolidate its leadership within the SCO but also to send a clear signal: the future of global governance will not be dictated unilaterally by Washington. By promoting what Xi termed “equal and orderly multipolarisation,” Beijing envisions a world in which power is distributed more justly, allowing sovereign nations to pursue their interests without coercion.

Analysts note that the timing of this summit is significant. With the United States embroiled in conflicts and political turmoil, the SCO offers an alternative model rooted in cooperation, development, and respect for sovereignty. The inclusion of Iran and Belarus, as well as the deepening engagement with India, reflects the bloc’s growing role in shaping Eurasia’s destiny.

Xi’s financial commitments further reinforce China’s credibility as a partner dedicated to mutual prosperity, not domination. Unlike Western aid packages that often come with political strings attached, China’s initiatives through the SCO are geared toward long-term development and shared security.

As the summit concluded, the message was clear: the SCO stands as a vital pillar of a new international order, one that rejects confrontation and coercion in favour of dialogue, balance, and mutual respect. With China, Russia, India, Iran, and other members aligned in their determination to push back against Western unilateralism, the SCO is increasingly viewed as the organisation that will define the future of Eurasia and beyond.

In the words of Xi Jinping, the path ahead may be turbulent, but through unity and adherence to the Shanghai spirit, “a more just and equitable global governance system” is within reach.