The largest-ever summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) was convened in China’s northern port city of Tianjin from August 31 to September 1, 2025, bringing together leaders from more than 20 countries and heads of 10 international organizations and sending a strong signal for global cooperation, development, and shared future in an age of global uncertainties.

Hosting 10 member states, two observer states, and 14 dialogue partners, the SCO now represents almost half the world’s population, a quarter of the global landmass and about a quarter of global GDP. In 2024, China’s trade with other SCO members, observer states, and dialogue partners reached a historic high of US $890 billion.

Since its launch in 2001, the SCO has focused its primary efforts on enhancing mutual trust and common security in the region. Against the backdrop of evolving global multipolarity, it has pioneered a new model of cooperation – partnership instead of alliance, and dialogue rather than confrontation. Growing alongside an increasingly interconnected global economy, the organization has thriven as more and more countries seek peaceful development and win-win cooperation.

Peaceful development

In the face of global security concerns, the SCO has acted effectively, advancing the new vision for common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security. The SCO has consistently spoken with one voice and taken a collective stand on major regional and international issues. Advocating political and peaceful solutions, the SCO always acts in the interest of global peace and development.

During the summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Governance Initiative (GGI) when chairing the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Plus Meeting, calling on countries to work in concert for a more just and equitable global governance system.

The GGI marks the fourth landmark global initiative proposed by Xi over the past several years, following the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative.

Xi highlighted five principles of the GGI — adhering to sovereign equality, abiding by international rule of law, practicing multilateralism, advocating a people-centered approach, and focusing on taking real actions.

While the historical trends of peace, development, cooperation, and mutual benefit remain unchanged, the Cold War mentality, hegemonism, and protectionism continue to haunt the world, Xi said. As new threats and challenges have increased, the world has found itself in a new period of turbulence and transformation.

He said that all countries, regardless of size, strength and wealth, are equal participants, decision-makers, and beneficiaries in global governance. “There should be no double standards, and the house rules of a few countries must not be imposed upon others,” Xi noted. He stressed that the SCO should step up to play a leading role and set an example in carrying out the GGI, and remain a force for stability in this volatile world.

Hailing the GGI as “timely and relevant,” participants at the meeting said it contributes China’s wisdom and solutions to the pressing issues facing the world today, and the SCO’s successful practice of upholding the Shanghai Spirit has set a prime example for global governance improvement.

Kin Phea, director general of the International Relations Institute of Cambodia, said the SCO offers “a compelling alternative to zero-sum thinking,” emphasizing “l(fā)istening over dictating, solidarity over supremacy, and shared growth over isolated gains.”

The initiative is “a need of the hour and common aspiration of the global community,” said Zafar-Ud-Din Mahmood, former special assistant to the Pakistani Prime Minister. He was hopeful that the GGI will bring stability, tolerance, peace, and inclusiveness to the world.

People-to-people exchanges

Cultural and people-to-people exchanges and cooperation among Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) countries have kept expanding over the past 24 years.

Cooperation areas have broadened from science and technology, culture, education, and healthcare into fields such as sports, tourism, media, think tanks, environmental protection, and poverty alleviation, said Zuo Hongbo, secretary general of the Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation Commission (GNFCC) of the SCO.

She also said flagship projects including cooperation initiatives among?SCO universities,?art festivals, museum alliances, marathons, youth exchange camps, and media forums have been launched, with mechanisms for cooperation in culture, healthcare, science and technology, and education improved.

Among the projects and activities, the Luban Workshop is an outstanding initiative promoting Chinese vocational education programs. Named after Lu Ban, the ancient Chinese master craftsman symbolizing excellence and ingenuity, the Luban Workshop represents a China-sponsored vocational education initiative designed to provide technical training in various fields to students and local instructors in partner countries. This program showcases China’s commitment to sharing expertise and solutions for industrial development and talent cultivation worldwide.

Since the inauguration of the first Luban Workshop in 2016, China has established 34 Luban Workshops in 30 countries across Asia, Africa, and Europe. Among them, Tianjin, a vocational education hub in northern China, has played a leading role in the initiative, having helped set up 10 Luban Workshops across eight SCO member countries.

Muhammad Mohsin Mujahid Qudoos from Pakistan, who is studying electrical automation at the Luban Workshop in Tianjin Modern Vocational Technology College, shared his experience, “I am always eager and passionate about studying technology. After coming to the Luban Workshop, I have learned new skills and experienced Chinese culture. China has advanced technology and [is] moving faster than I knew. I would like to learn more.”

Qudoos added that interactive discussions with instructors and hands-on experience with advanced lab equipment have been instrumental in shaping his career aspirations. “After graduation from Luban Workshop, I will go back to my country and bring back the skills and experiences I’ve learned here, so as to make innovation in industries and boost my country,” he said.

Irfan Ashraf, a Pakistani reporter at SAMAA TV also praised the education cooperation between China and Pakistan. “China is contributing in a good way in the education sector for Pakistan. It has opened [more positions in] universities for Pakistani students [by offering] scholarships, and has also launched skill courses for them. It will help us to reduce poverty and uplift the lives of common Pakistanis,” he said.

Green transformation

At present, pushing for green development and low-carbon transformation is a common goal for the vast majority of countries worldwide. Member states of the SCO have also achieved progress regarding environmental protection cooperation, further promoting green economy and sustainable development.

According to Guo Fang, China’s vice minister of ecology and environment, an environmental information sharing platform of the SCO has been established to share environment-related laws, regulations, policies, standards and management systems of member countries, and facilitate enterprises to expand market opportunities.

China has hosted over 30 multilateral or bilateral technical exchange and matchmaking events since 2021 in sectors such as green development, climate change response, and biodiversity protection, attracting nearly 1,000 industry representatives, Guo said at a press conference ahead of the SCO Summit 2025.

China has also provided various training sessions on waste management, informatization, biodiversity protection, and ecological restoration, as well as water treatment, among others.

In addition, China has supported SCO member states in the construction of green facilities. In Zhanatas, Kazakhstan, a 100-megawatt wind power project constructed by a Chinese-funded enterprise has generated over 1.37 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity, meeting the demands of three million local residents.

In Nukus, Uzbekistan, the experimental project integrating solar power with drip irrigation and fertilizer application, developed by researchers from the two countries, has more than?tripled the agricultural output?and reduced water consumption and costs.

Meanwhile, in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, the first waste incineration power generation project is under construction, which will improve the local living environment and provide green electricity.

Guo said that under the SCO framework, China will join hands with other SCO member countries to build consensus, expand cooperation, promote green transformation, and address global environmental challenges.