Tianjin – Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian attended the 2025 Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Tianjin, China, and joined the leaders of more than 20 and 10 international organizations.
A well-known Chinese journalist who will cover the two-day summit on Sunday and Monday said the participation of the Iranian president has deep strategic importance amid ongoing regional and global transformation.
Xu Yawen, CGTN radio reporter and international affairs commentator, said Iran’s attendance reflects a new phase in Tehran and Beijing’s comprehensive strategic partnership.
“When Iran participates in the summit as a full SCO member, it injects fresh momentum into high levels of bilateral exchanges. Through the Belt and Road Initiative, China is committed to deepening practical cooperation with Iran in key areas such as energy, trade and infrastructure development.
She emphasized that Iran’s inclusion will strengthen SCO as a multilateral platform. “When unilateral tensions are rising, Iran’s involvement will enhance the SCO’s collective ability to protect the region’s security, fight terrorism and resist external interference.
Xu highlighted the importance of Iran’s geographical potential in promoting regional ties and trade. “Historically, Iran is a hub along the ancient Silk Road and is a natural bridge between the east and west. Its geographical and economic potential can advance summit initiatives such as cross-border infrastructure projects and supply chain stabilization, particularly energy and logistics,” she said.
Commentators on international affairs pointed out that Iran’s active participation is seen as providing new driving forces in the SCO’s future agenda, promoting multipolarity, fair dialogue and favourable cooperation for both sides. “This fully embodies the spirit of Shanghai in today’s international context.
Xu noted that China sees Iran’s presence at the Tianjin Summit as both an opportunity to strengthen bilateral trust and cooperation, and a strategic step to promote SCO to a more representative and dynamic platform for multilateral cooperation in the global South.