Xi Focus: Carrying forward Shanghai Spirit with renewed vitality

BUILDING COMMUNITY WITH SHARED FUTURE FOR HUMANITY

Xi has made use of the SCO events as a platform to call for fairness and justice in global affairs.

"We firmly oppose hegemonic, high-handed and bullying acts, and promote a more equal and balanced multipolar world," Xi told foreign ministers and heads of permanent bodies of the SCO in Beijing in July.

He opposed the notion that acting from a so-called "position of strength" is the way to handle international affairs, rejected moves that undermine the international order and stoke confrontation and division under the pretext of "rules," and advocated equal rights, equal opportunities and fair rules for all.

A series of outcome documents of the SCO summit in Astana last year echoed Xi's vision, calling for solidarity, cooperation and justice rather than division, confrontation, and hegemonism.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, as well as the founding of the United Nations. Yet, the world today is confronted with unilateralism, bullying and the resurgence of power politics.

In view of this critical juncture, Xi has on multiple occasions underscored China's commitment to promoting the correct historical perspective on World War II, deepening coordination within multilateral frameworks such as the UN and SCO frameworks, and jointly safeguarding international fairness and justice.

This reflects the shared aspiration of the SCO member states, spelled out in an April statement voicing support for an open world economy and a WTO-centered multilateral trading system, a clear rebuke to unilateral tariffs and protectionism.

Sharing a natural bond with the Global South, whose collective rise has become an undeniable trend, the SCO is increasingly seen as an indispensable force in the global governance system.

Given the current global landscape marked by rapid and irreversible changes, the proactive stance of the SCO in international affairs is unquestionably highly sought after, said Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Astana Summit last year.

At the same event, Xi called for the SCO to contribute to eliminating what he described as the world's deficits in peace, development, security and governance.

As this year's SCO summit is around the corner, China is expected to cap its term as rotating chair with key outcomes. Guided by Xi and leaders of other SCO member states, the upcoming summit is set to chart a clear course for the organization's future and advance the vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity.