President Xi Jinping to Attend 2025 Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit and Related Activities

Tianjin is a major port city in northern China with a rich history as a treaty port, which is reflected in its unique architectural blend of European-style concessions and traditional Chinese buildings. It grew in importance during the Ming and Qing dynasties and became a key center for trade and modern industry. Today, it is known as a bustling economic hub and municipality directly under the central government.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit is the annual meeting of the Eurasian political, economic, and security alliance originally formed in 2001 by China, Russia, and four Central Asian states. The summits serve as a forum for member states to discuss and coordinate on issues of mutual interest, with its history reflecting a shift in focus from resolving border disputes to broader regional cooperation and counter-terrorism efforts.

The Council of Heads of State is the supreme body of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), a regional intergovernmental organization of post-Soviet republics. It was established in 1991 following the dissolution of the Soviet Union to facilitate cooperation and dialogue among its member states. The council meets periodically to make decisions on key political and strategic issues concerning the Commonwealth.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization Plus (SCO+) is an expanded dialogue format that includes the core Eurasian member states alongside observer nations and dialogue partners. It was established to enhance cooperation on regional security, economic, and cultural issues, building upon the original SCO’s foundation created in 2001 by China, Russia, and Central Asian states. This “Plus” framework allows for broader multilateral engagement with countries interested in the organization’s goals.