At the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin, Xi Jinping pledged billions in support for member states while strengthening ties with Vladimir Putin and calling for a multipolar world order.
In Tianjin, Chinese President Xi Jinping cast China as a force for global economic stability, pledging new grants and loans to bolster cooperation within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). Xi emphasized that member nations should leverage the strength of their combined markets, remove trade barriers, and foster deeper investment opportunities.
The Chinese leader announced:
2 billion yuan ($280 million) in grants for SCO countries in 2025 | 10 billion yuan ($1.4 billion) in loans through a proposed SCO banking consortium | A call to establish a dedicated SCO Development Bank to secure long-term regional cooperation
Rejecting “Hegemonism” and Western Dominance
Xi Jinping urged member states to resist hegemonism, Cold War mentality, and bullying practices, terms often used to criticize a world order dominated by the United States and its allies. He called for a more equal and inclusive form of globalization, stressing the need for fairness in global governance.
“We should advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world, and promote inclusive globalization to make international governance more just and equitable,” Xi declared.
Speaking alongside Xi, Russian President Vladimir Putin echoed calls for deeper integration among SCO members. He proposed creating a new Eurasian security framework to replace what he described as outdated Eurocentric models.
The SCO, he argued, could become a platform for countries seeking alternatives to Western-led military and economic blocs.
The summit also highlighted the personal rapport between Xi and Putin. Footage showed the two leaders walking shoulder to shoulder, sharing relaxed conversations, and presenting a united front.
The gathering follows Putin’s recent meeting with former U.S. President Donald Trump in Alaska, where the Russian leader claimed to have reached “understandings” on Ukraine. Putin stated that he had already briefed Xi on those discussions.
The summit also saw active participation from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who used the event to strengthen ties with both Xi and Putin. India’s attendance comes amid rising tariffs imposed by Washington, straining New Delhi’s relations with the U.S. and accelerating cooperation with China and Russia.
Observers note that shared economic pressures, particularly Western sanctions on Russia and U.S. tariffs on China and India, are pushing these major Asian powers closer together.
While Beijing maintains a public stance of neutrality on the Ukraine conflict, it has become a critical lifeline for Russia’s economy, purchasing discounted oil and maintaining steady trade. Xi’s support is widely seen as helping Moscow weather Western sanctions.
Putin used the SCO platform to argue that the Ukraine crisis was a result of Western interference rather than Russian aggression, praising the roles of both China and India in seeking peaceful resolutions.
The Future of the SCO: Multipolar World in Motion
The 2025 Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Tianjin showcased the bloc’s growing ambition to reshape global politics and economics. With China and Russia at the helm, and India playing an increasingly active role, the SCO positions itself as a counterweight to Western alliances.
As Xi hosts an upcoming military parade in Beijing, attended by world leaders including Russia’s Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, the message is clear – China and Russia are presenting a united vision of a multipolar world order, challenging U.S. dominance in global affairs.
Unity Highlights
Xi pledged $1.68 billion in new SCO financial support | Putin called for a new Eurasian security system
India is aligning closer with China and Russia amid U.S. tariffs | China continues to back Russia economically while claiming neutrality in Ukraine | The SCO summit showcased a growing alternative to Western-led global governance
