BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan — Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday urged Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states to strengthen cooperation in development, security, cultural exchanges, and global governance during the 26th SCO Heads of State Summit in Bishkek.
Addressing leaders of the organization’s member countries, Xi marked the SCO’s 25th anniversary by highlighting its growth into one of the world’s largest regional organizations and reaffirming the importance of the Shanghai Spirit, which emphasizes mutual trust, equality, consultation, respect for diverse civilizations, and shared development.
Xi proposed four priorities for the organization’s future: promoting high-quality economic development, enhancing regional security, expanding people-to-people exchanges, and improving global governance through dialogue and multilateral cooperation.
He announced several Chinese initiatives, including the establishment of an international AI application cooperation center, a China-SCO Port Economic Cooperation Center in Tianjin, and 100 joint science and technology projects over the next three years.
On security, Xi called for stronger collaboration against terrorism, extremism, organized crime, drug trafficking, cybercrime, and other emerging threats while supporting the creation of new SCO security centers.
The Chinese president also stressed the importance of expanding educational and cultural exchanges and encouraged member states to strengthen cooperation among governments, academic institutions, businesses, and civil society.
Leaders attending the summit praised the SCO’s achievements over the past 25 years and pledged to deepen cooperation in trade, investment, technology, energy, infrastructure, and regional security.
The summit concluded with the signing of the Bishkek Declaration, approval of amendments to the SCO Charter, adoption of new security regulations, and endorsement of 28 cooperation documents.
Pakistan was confirmed as the next holder of the SCO’s rotating presidency for the 2026–2027 term.
President Xi was accompanied by senior Chinese officials Cai Qi and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
