Chinese President Xi Jinping told a gathering of around 20 world leaders on Sunday evening that the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) now bears a “greater responsibility” for safeguarding regional peace, stability, and promoting the development and prosperity of its member states. Speaking at a welcome banquet in Tianjin, President Xi said the ongoing SCO Summit shoulders the important mission of building consensus and stimulating momentum in cooperation, as reported by China’s state news agency, Xinhua.
The two-day summit, being held in the northern Chinese city of Tianjin, is the largest annual meeting in the group’s history. Xi expressed confidence that with the concerted efforts of all parties, the summit would be a complete success, and the SCO would play an even bigger role in fostering unity and cooperation. He hoped that the SCO would, under the guidance of the “Shanghai Spirit,” sail once again from Tianjin toward an even brighter future.
Founded in Shanghai in June 2001 with six original members, the SCO has expanded into a 26-nation family, which includes 10 members, two observers, and 14 dialogue partners across Asia, Europe, and Africa. Member states are expected to adopt key documents, including the organization’s development strategy for the next decade. This is the second time President Xi has hosted the event. The summit includes both the 25th meeting of the Council of Heads of State and the “SCO Plus” meeting, which are scheduled for Monday.
