Against a backdrop of geopolitical friction and economic volatility, Chinese President Xi Jinping convened leaders at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit this week, positioning the bloc as a stabilizing force for multilateral cooperation. The event highlights China's growing role in shaping Eurasian partnerships, with analysts calling it a critical platform for addressing shared security and development challenges.
Founded in 2001, the SCO has evolved into the world's largest regional organization by geographic and economic scope, spanning 26 countries and accounting for nearly $30 trillion in combined GDP. Trade between China and other SCO members reached $512.4 billion in 2022 – a fivefold increase since 2017 – underscoring deepening economic integration.
"The SCO represents a new paradigm of cooperation that prioritizes mutual development over zero-sum competition," said Zoon Ahmed Khan, research fellow at the Center for China and Globalization. "Its focus on infrastructure connectivity and energy security directly addresses Eurasia's most pressing needs."
Russian affairs analyst Anton Fedyashin noted: "As Western sanctions reshape global trade routes, SCO mechanisms for financial settlements and supply chain resilience gain strategic importance."
Victor Gao, chair professor at Soochow University, emphasized the bloc's security dimensions: "Counterterrorism and cybersecurity collaborations remain vital, particularly given instability in Afghanistan and Central Asia."
With India and Pakistan participating as full members since 2017, the summit also addressed tensions along disputed borders. Historian Vijay Prashad observed: "The SCO's consensus-driven model creates rare diplomatic space for rivals to discuss disputes without external pressure."
As the summit concluded, attention turned to proposed initiatives on digital currency systems and green energy partnerships – signaling the bloc's ambition to shape emerging global norms.
