Full Text of Xi Jinping's Speech at the 26th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization

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— Speech at the 26th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization

(September 1, 2026, Bishkek)

Xi Jinping, President of the People's Republic of China

Your Excellency President Japarov,

Dear Colleagues,

I am truly delighted to join you in Bishkek. I wish to thank President Japarov for the thoughtful arrangements for this meeting. Since Kyrgyzstan assumed the presidency of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), it has focused on "working together for sustainable peace, development and prosperity" and carried out a rich array of activities with fruitful outcomes. China highly commends this.

August 31 and September 1 mark the 35th anniversaries of the independence of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan respectively. Taking this opportunity, I would like to extend our sincere congratulations to President Japarov and President Mirziyoyev, and to the friendly people of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan!

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the founding of the SCO. A quarter of a century ago, in the face of the profound lessons of the Cold War, the real threats of the forces of separatism, extremism and terrorism, and the fervent aspirations of the people for peace and development, it became a common consensus of regional countries to work together to safeguard sovereignty, security and development interests. The SCO thus came into being and has since demonstrated strong vitality.

Over the past 25 years, the SCO has traversed an extraordinary journey. Its most significant achievement is that it has grown step by step into a new type of regional cooperation organization that is the largest in terms of land area and population and holds great potential for development. Its most valuable spiritual asset is the pioneering "Shanghai Spirit," which champions mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diversity of civilizations and pursuit of common development, and which has been consistently upheld. Its most important experience of cooperation is that it has found the right way to coexist without forming alliances, without confrontation and without targeting any third party, enabling regional countries to jointly build a common home.

Today, 25 years later, the world is undergoing accelerated transformation unseen in a century. Dialogue and confrontation, win-win and zero-sum, multilateralism and unilateralism are locked in intense rivalry, and the shadow of war has not receded. Standing at a crossroads that bears on the future of humanity, the SCO should bravely shoulder its historical responsibility and take the lead in steering the course of history.

First, we should prioritize development and create prospects for shared prosperity. We should advocate a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, consolidate cooperation in traditional areas such as trade, investment, connectivity, energy and resources, and expand cooperation in emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, digital economy, green industry and green minerals, so as to deepen and upgrade regional cooperation.

China regards the SCO as a priority area for high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and for implementing the Global Development Initiative. In light of the development needs of the region, China will continue to hold events such as the SCO Digital Economy Forum and the SCO Agricultural Expo, build an international AI application cooperation center for SCO countries, continue to advance the construction of new "10-gigawatt photovoltaic" and "10-gigawatt wind power" projects with SCO countries, jointly implement 100 science and technology cooperation projects with SCO countries in the next three years, and continue to carry out China-SCO green industry talent training programs. China welcomes member states that are interested to actively participate in the "Sharing the Big Market, Exporting to China" series of activities and seize the opportunities presented by China's super-sized market. To facilitate trade and logistics in the region, China supports the enhancement of the efficiency and quality of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route and will establish a China-SCO Port Economic Cooperation Center in Tianjin.

Second, we should prioritize security and foster an environment of universal security. We should address both traditional and non-traditional security threats in a coordinated manner, combat the forces of separatism, extremism and terrorism, transnational organized crime, drug trafficking and telecom fraud, strengthen cooperation on information, biological and outer space security, and resolutely prevent external forces from interfering in the internal affairs of countries, endangering political security and undermining regional stability.

China is ready to work with all parties to practice the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security and make the SCO an important platform for implementing the Global Security Initiative. China advocates a rational, coordinated and balanced approach to nuclear security and supports strengthening multilateral partnerships on nuclear security. China supports the early launch of the SCO's "four security centers" to enhance the capacity of member states to respond to security threats and challenges.

Third, we should put people first and cement the foundation of lasting friendship. Diverse civilizations and cultures are a distinctive feature of this region. We should take into account the historical, cultural, social and institutional characteristics and development stages of various countries, build cooperation networks involving legislative bodies, political parties, schools, think tanks, enterprises and media, promote people-to-people exchanges, and inject vitality into good-neighborly friendship among member states.

China is ready to work with all parties to implement the Global Civilization Initiative, support the SCO Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation Committee and other non-governmental friendship institutions in playing a greater role, and hold the SCO Forum on Innovation and Sustainable Development and the SCO Forum on People-to-People Friendship and Friendly Cities. China will establish a China-SCO Basic Education Cooperation Center and will continue to build bridges of exchange, mutual learning and people-to-people connectivity through projects such as Confucius Institutes and Luban Workshops.

Fourth, we should uphold dialogue and consultation and improve fair and orderly governance. We should adhere to the principle that all countries, regardless of size, are equal, uphold the practice of discussing and deciding regional affairs together and seeking common ground while resolving differences, properly handle contradictions and differences through dialogue and consultation, and address common challenges through multilateral coordination. China appreciates and supports the Samarkand Solidarity Initiative proposed by President Mirziyoyev and the Initiative on Unity for a Just World, Harmony and Development proposed by President Tokayev.

China supports the SCO in carrying out exemplary cooperation in implementing the Global Governance Initiative. The "SCO Plus" meeting this time, which focuses on strengthening the role of the United Nations and building a multipolar world, is a successful practice in this regard. China proposes to continue improving the SCO's operational mechanisms and enhance the efficiency of decision-making and implementation. We welcome more like-minded countries to become partners and jointly participate in improving regional and global governance. On international and regional hotspot issues such as Ukraine, the Middle East and Afghanistan, China is ready to strengthen communication and coordination with all parties, address both symptoms and root causes, and promote political settlement.

Dear Colleagues,

With unwavering commitment, no distance can deter us; with steadfast determination, no difficulty can stop us. China is ready to work with all parties to continue to hold high the banner of the "Shanghai Spirit," implement the SCO development strategy for the next 10 years, strive for higher-quality development, and make greater contributions to building a community with a shared future for mankind!

In conclusion, I congratulate Prime Minister Shehbaz on assuming the presidency of the Council of Heads of State. China is ready to work with member states to actively support Pakistan's presidency.

Thank you all.