Gathering the Strength of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to Improve Global Governance
— Address at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Plus Meeting
Dear Colleagues,
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War and the founding of the United Nations—a significant moment to remember history and jointly create the future. Eighty years ago, the devastation of two world wars led the international community to reflect deeply, giving rise to the United Nations and opening a new chapter in global governance. Eighty years later, the trend of the times—peace, development, cooperation, and mutual benefit—remains unchanged. However, the shadows of Cold War mentality, hegemonism, and protectionism persist, new threats and challenges are increasing, the world has entered a new period of turbulence and transformation, and global governance stands at a new crossroads.
History tells us that the more difficult the times, the more we must uphold the original intention of peaceful coexistence, strengthen confidence in win-win cooperation, and persist in advancing with the logic of historical progress and developing with the trends of the times.
To this end, I propose a Global Governance Initiative to work with all countries to promote the building of a more just and reasonable global governance system and jointly move toward a community with a shared future for humanity.
First, uphold sovereign equality. Ensure that all countries, regardless of size, strength, or wealth, participate equally in global governance, have equal decision-making power, and benefit equally. Promote the democratization of international relations and enhance the representation and voice of developing countries.
Second, abide by international rule of law. Fully, comprehensively, and completely adhere to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and other widely recognized basic norms of international relations. Ensure the equal and uniform application of international law and rules, avoid double standards, and refrain from imposing the house rules of a few countries on others.
Third, practice multilateralism. Adhere to a global governance approach based on extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits. Strengthen unity and cooperation, oppose unilateralism, firmly uphold the status and authority of the United Nations, and effectively leverage the UN’s irreplaceable role in global governance.
Fourth, advocate a people-centered approach. Reform and improve the global governance system to ensure that people of all countries participate in global governance and share its outcomes. Better address common challenges facing human society, bridge the North-South development gap, and safeguard the common interests of all countries.
Fifth, focus on action-oriented results. Persist in systematic planning and holistic advancement, coordinate global actions, fully mobilize resources from all sides, and create more visible outcomes. Use practical cooperation to avoid governance delays and fragmentation.
Dear Colleagues,
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) clearly states in its founding declaration and charter that it aims to promote the international political and economic order toward a more democratic, just, and reasonable direction. Over the past 24 years, the organization has upheld the Shanghai Spirit—mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diverse civilizations, and pursuit of common development. It has adhered to the principles of discussing regional affairs together, building platforms and mechanisms jointly, and sharing the fruits of cooperation. It has proposed and implemented many new concepts for global governance, increasingly becoming a proactive force in the construction and reform of the global governance system.
Facing the once-in-a-century transformations accelerating across the world, the SCO must play a leading role and set an example in practicing the Global Governance Initiative.
We must contribute SCO strength to maintaining world peace and stability. Member states, focusing on common security, have concluded a long-term treaty on good-neighborly friendship and cooperation, efficiently carried out security cooperation, and maintained overall regional stability. We must continue to adhere to the principles of non-alignment, non-confrontation, and not targeting any third party, jointly respond to various threats and challenges, effectively utilize the newly established Comprehensive Center for Responding to Security Threats and Challenges and the Anti-Drug Center, build a regional security community, and firmly act as a stabilizing force in a turbulent world.
We must demonstrate SCO responsibility in promoting global openness and cooperation. Member states are rich in energy resources, have vast market scales, and possess strong internal momentum, continuously increasing their contribution to world economic growth. We must continue to dismantle walls, not build them; integrate, not decouple. Advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and promote economic globalization toward a more inclusive and beneficial direction for all.
We are willing to actively share the opportunities of our ultra-large market and continue to implement the high-quality development action plan for economic and trade cooperation within the SCO family. We will establish three major cooperation platforms—China-SCO Energy, Green Industry
