China’s President Xi Urges SCO Leaders to Protect Regional Peace and Stability
Xi Jinping urges SCO leaders to prioritize regional peace and security
Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of safeguarding “regional peace” during a virtual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) on Tuesday. He called for collective efforts to ensure common security and encouraged member states to strengthen solidarity and mutual trust.
Russian President Vladimir Putin also addressed the summit, marking his first participation since a recent brief upheaval.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the host of the virtual meeting, expressed concerns about countries employing cross-border terrorism as a tool in their policies, without explicitly naming any nations. He reiterated that terrorism remains a significant threat to regional and global peace and emphasized the need for decisive action.
Pakistan also took part in the summit, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif highlighting the forum’s significance in addressing regional security and prosperity.
Established in 2001, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation serves as a platform for discussions on security and economic matters. Its membership includes countries such as Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, while Belarus and Mongolia participate as observers. Iran is in the process of joining the bloc, having pursued diplomatic engagements to reduce isolation, improve the economy, and project strength.
Encompassing a vast geographical area from Moscow to Beijing, the SCO represents approximately half of the world’s population, including member states, observers, and “dialogue partner” nations.
India holds membership in both the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and the Quad, a strategic forum comprising the United States, Japan, Australia, and India itself. The Quad was established to address China’s increasing assertiveness. India, now the world’s most populous country, has a longstanding territorial dispute with China.
