Organization displays transformative vitality: China Daily editorial

At a time when the world has encountered a new period of turbulence and transformation, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization has once again demonstrated its vitality and appeal. The SCO Summit in Tianjin was not only a landmark gathering of leaders but also a powerful testament to why the organization continues to thrive and contribute to the common development of different countries.

Over the past 24 years, the SCO has grown from a regional security mechanism to be the world's largest regional organization, encompassing 27 countries across Asia, Europe and Africa. Its success lies in the enduring relevance of the Shanghai Spirit — mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for cultural diversity, and the pursuit of common development. In a world rife with confrontation and protectionism, these principles have allowed the SCO to chart an independent course of cooperation, making it a stabilizing force amid global turbulence.

The Tianjin Summit was held at a critical juncture, coinciding with the 80th anniversary of the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War and the founding of the United Nations, a reminder of the hard-won peace and the urgent need to defend multilateralism.

Against the backdrop of geopolitical tensions and a crisis of trust in global institutions, the SCO's ability to convene such a large family of nations reflects its growing influence in shaping a multipolar and more equitable international order.

China's role in the SCO has always been one of vision and responsibility. At the Tianjin Summit, President Xi Jinping made a series of proposals to implement the action plan for high-quality development of the SCO that highlight China's commitment to openness, cooperation and shared progress. These include the establishment of three China-SCO cooperation platforms on energy, green industries and the digital economy, and three new cooperation centers on scientific innovation, higher education and vocational training. China will work with fellow SCO countries to increase the installed capacity of photovoltaic and wind power each by 10 million kilowatts in the next five years.

Beyond the economy, China's pledges reflect a deep concern for people's well-being across the SCO region. Xi announced that in the next five years, China will treat 500 patients with congenital heart disease, perform 5,000 cataract operations, and carry out 10,000 cancer screenings in other SCO countries.

The country is also ready to build with all sides an artificial intelligence application cooperation center, and share the dividends of progress in AI. It welcomes all parties to use the Beidou Satellite Navigation System and it invites countries with relevant capacities to take part in the International Lunar Research Station project.

These initiatives demonstrate how China is translating its development into tangible benefits for the SCO community and beyond. China's input and commitment to the common development of different countries have played an important role in promoting the progress of the SCO family these years. And that will continue to be the case.

Propelled by the shared dedication to a fairer multipolar world that China advocates and acts on, the organization has adopted multiple key outcome documents, such as the SCO Development Strategy until 2035, at its Tianjin Summit, which not only represent the organization's development strategy for the next decade but also set out the path to transform that vision into reality for the benefit of people of the SCO family and even beyond.

If implemented well, they will be conducive to the SCO substantially strengthening cooperation in security, economy and cultural exchanges, and consolidating its role as a guardian of regional stability, a driver of connectivity and growth, and a promoter of dialogue among civilizations.

From its founding in 2001 to today, the SCO has consistently broken new ground in regional and global governance. The Tianjin Summit shows that the organization is ready to shoulder greater responsibilities — whether in safeguarding peace, advancing openness, or championing fairness and justice.

Guided by the Shanghai Spirit, and with China playing a constructive and unique role as the largest economy in the organization, the SCO is certain to continue expanding its circle of friends, strengthening unity among members, and contributing to the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.

The SCO's journey from Shanghai to Tianjin is a journey of cooperation, trust and progress. From Tianjin, it now sets sail again — toward an even brighter future.