As the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) prepares to host its 2025 summit in Tianjin, the bloc's guiding philosophy – the 'Shanghai Spirit' – is drawing renewed attention for its role in shaping partnerships across the Global South. Defined by principles of mutual trust, equality, and civilizational diversity, this framework has transformed the SCO into a key platform for over 40% of the world's population since its 2001 founding.
Victor Gao, chair professor at Soochow University and vice president of the Center for China and Globalization, explains: "What makes the Shanghai Spirit revolutionary is its rejection of zero-sum geopolitics. By prioritizing consultation over confrontation, it enables developing nations to address shared challenges like food security and infrastructure gaps through collective action."
Three pillars underpin the SCO's growing influence:
Economic Synergy: Joint initiatives in energy connectivity and digital transformation
Security Collaboration: Counterterrorism coordination and cybersecurity frameworks
Cultural Bridges: Educational exchanges preserving regional heritage while fostering innovation
With the New Development Bank financing over $30 billion in projects across member states, the SCO model demonstrates how South-South cooperation can drive development without political conditionalities. As emerging economies seek alternatives to traditional multilateral systems, the Tianjin summit may redefine Global South diplomacy in the Asian Century.
