SCO can uphold multilateralism with unity: China Daily editorial

The clique-building of the United States serves the purpose of divide and rule. Being open and inclusive and dedicated to promoting common development and shared security, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization transcends traditional bloc politics, emphasizing partnerships rather than traditional alliances.

Formed 22 years ago to combat terrorism, extremism and separatism, the SCO's cooperation has expanded over the years to encompass economic, cultural and other fields. The SCO's achievements have also drawn more countries into its orbit, and both its membership and number of observer states have grown. Iran is set to be welcomed as the latest member.

The SCO has effectively promoted the expansion and deepening of regional cooperation, and it has proved it can interact effectively with other multilateral institutions, making it a very attractive alternative for countries uncomfortable with the West and their foreign policies.

As Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said in a news briefing on Friday, regional countries as well as other members of the international community are looking to the SCO to play a bigger role in safeguarding regional security and promoting common development.

China views the SCO as a priority in its foreign affairs, and President Xi Jinping will deliver important remarks at the 23rd Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to be hosted by India via video links on Tuesday.

Together with other participating leaders, he will chart the course for the organization to achieve greater progress and boost the development and prosperity in regional countries.

If all the SCO member states take the meeting as a chance to demonstrate their commitment to multilateralism by further strengthening their communication and coordination, they will ensure the SCO continues to play an important and constructive role in international and regional affairs.

By creating the conditions for more countries to participate in global governance on an equal footing, the SCO has transformed into an organization with profound significance. History has proved and will continue to prove that multilateralism prevails over unilateralism, good-neighborliness and friendship transcend beggar-thy-neighbor policies, and mutually beneficial cooperation is preferable to zero-sum games.

By acting on the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative proposed by China, the members of the SCO and its wider "family" can forge an even closer SCO community and uphold peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefit for the Eurasian continent and the world at large.