Tianjin, September 1 — In a time of rising global tensions, Chinese President Xi Jinping has made an emotional and firm plea for fairness, justice, and unity in the international community. Speaking to regional leaders at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, Xi openly criticized what he described as “bullying behaviour” shaping the current world order.
Gathering some of the most influential regional powers — including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi — Xi called on the bloc to “oppose Cold War mentality, camp confrontation, and bullying behaviour,” urging leaders to commit to fairness and mutual respect in international relations.
The SCO, a regional political and security alliance often viewed as a counterbalance to NATO, includes China, India, Russia, Pakistan, Iran, and several Central Asian nations. With 16 more nations affiliated as observers or dialogue partners, the alliance has grown in both reach and influence.
“The current international situation is becoming chaotic and intertwined,” Xi said. “The security and development tasks facing member states have become even more challenging.” His words reflect rising concerns about geopolitical instability, economic pressures, and escalating regional conflicts.
In his speech, Xi praised the “Shanghai spirit” — a term used to describe the core values of mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, and respect for diverse civilizations. He emphasized that these values have helped the group navigate past challenges and must now serve as guiding principles in a changing world.
“Looking back, despite tumultuous times, we have achieved success by practicing the Shanghai spirit,” he reflected. “Looking to the future… we must keep our feet on the ground, forge ahead, and better perform the functions of the organisation.”
At a time when global alliances are shifting, Xi’s message resonates not just as a political statement, but as a call to reimagine cooperation beyond power struggles and confrontations.
