Across Mountains and Seas, Dialogue and Harmony: Tianjin’s Ancient Port Welcomes the «SCO Moment»
The 2025 Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit will be held in Tianjin from August 31 to September 1. President Xi Jinping will chair the 25th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of SCO Member States and the «SCO Plus» meeting, delivering a keynote speech.
Tianjin, a city with over 600 years of history, rich heritage, and a spirit of openness and innovation, is embracing the «SCO moment» with a new look. This is the largest SCO summit since the organization’s establishment and one of China’s most important diplomatic events of the year.
Following Shanghai, Beijing, and Qingdao, Tianjin becomes the fourth Chinese city to host an SCO summit. As one of China’s first open coastal port cities and a key intersection of the Belt and Road Initiative, Tianjin will witness the blending and resonance of diverse civilizations among SCO countries. President Xi Jinping will join over 20 foreign leaders and heads of 10 international organizations by the Haihe River to review the SCO’s successful experiences, outline its development blueprint, build consensus within the «SCO family,» and advance the organization toward building a closer community with a shared future.
Tianjin is ready to welcome the «SCO moment»!
Tianjin’s New Look: A Warm Welcome
These days, walking through Tianjin’s streets and alleys, banners on overpasses and colorful flags along the roads prominently display slogans like «2025 SCO Summit» and «Meet at SCO.» Sculptures of «Flowers of Friendship» «bloom» in the city’s central parks, quietly awaiting guests from all directions…
Hosting the summit successfully is a major diplomatic mission entrusted to Tianjin and an excellent opportunity for the city to showcase China’s charm and vitality to the world.
From a key gateway to the capital established over 600 years ago to today’s hub of open development, Tianjin, nestled by rivers and the sea, has long been a枢纽 connecting north and south, east and west. As a land-sea convergence point of the Belt and Road Initiative, the eastern starting point of the China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor, and a key node of the New Eurasian Land Bridge Economic Corridor, Tianjin possesses unique geographical advantages and resources.
Adhering to the principles of simplicity, efficiency, and economy, Tianjin has continuously optimized and enhanced urban functions, with venues, stations, hotels, and the cityscape焕然一新. «Mobilizing the entire city to host this summit well» is Tianjin’s promise to welcome distant guests with open arms.
As Tianjin’s mother river, the Haihe River has become a «corridor of light and shadow» showcasing the city’s风貌. At night, with lights glittering and the «Haihe Night» light show常态化, buildings, bridges, and docks along both banks are illuminated. Under the lights, the city’s romantic beauty is captivating. This results from Tianjin’s meticulous efforts this year to enhance the lighting environment of 217 buildings, 14 bridges, 8.2 kilometers of shoreline, and 7 docks.
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 strategic shift towards multipolarity and collaboration on regional security and development.
Tianjin
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 and traditional Chinese styles. It grew in prominence during the Ming and Qing dynasties as a vital gateway to Beijing. Today, it is known as a modern economic center and for its well-preserved colonial-era concessions along the Hai River.
Haihe River
The Haihe River is a major waterway in northern China, historically formed through centuries of canal construction to drain the low-lying plains around Tianjin and empty into the Bohai Sea. It has served as a critical hub for trade, transportation, and flood control, playing a vital role in the economic development of the Beijing-Tianjin region.
Belt and Road Initiative
The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a massive global infrastructure development strategy launched by the Chinese government in 2013 to invest in nearly 150 countries and international organizations. It aims to enhance regional connectivity and embrace a brighter economic future by building a network of land-based «Silk Road Economic Belts» and ocean-going «Maritime Silk Roads.» The initiative evokes the history of the ancient Silk Road trade routes to frame its modern ambition of strengthening China’s economic and political influence.
China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor
The China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor is a major component of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, formally launched in 2016 to enhance trilateral trade and infrastructure connectivity. Its history is rooted in modern economic strategy, aiming to link the three nations through new transport routes, energy networks, and economic cooperation zones to foster regional development.
New Eurasian Land Bridge Economic Corridor
The New Eurasian Land Bridge Economic Corridor is a key component of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, established to create a modern trade route connecting China to Europe via Central Asia. It revives the historical Silk Road by developing rail and road infrastructure to facilitate faster overland freight transport. This economic strategy aims to boost trade, stimulate economic development, and increase connectivity across the Eurasian continent.
Flowers of Friendship
«Flowers of Friendship» is not a widely recognized historical or cultural site, but the name commonly refers to a commemorative garden or monument symbolizing international goodwill. These are often modern installations created to celebrate diplomatic ties or peace between nations, such as those found in botanical gardens or parks. Their history is typically tied to specific anniversaries or events that fostered cross-cultural cooperation.
Haihe Night
«Haihe Night» refers to the vibrant evening scenery and activities along the Haihe River in Tianjin, China. Historically, the Haihe has been a crucial waterway for trade and transport since the Ming and Qing dynasties. Today, its illuminated bridges and river cruises at night showcase a blend of colonial-era architecture and modern development.
