Tehran – Since envisaging a revolving presidency for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in July 2024, China has launched a wide range of initiatives aimed at deepening regional cooperation, strengthening multilateralism, and positioning the Eurasian Alliance as a rising force for global governance.
As a chair, China has already hosted more than 100 events in a variety of sectors, including politics, security, economics, energy, education and innovation. This is expected to be the largest in the organization’s history, in preparation for the upcoming SCO Summit in Tianjin, which will be held from August 31st to September 1st, the summit brings heads of international organizations from over 20 countries.
Founded in 2001, SCO operates under the principles of the “Shanghai Spirit” and emphasizes mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for cultural diversity and shared development. Ten fully-wide member states, including China, Russia and Iran, together with Observer State and dialogue partners, have grown into a central platform for regional peace, stability and economic cooperation.
In an exclusive interview with the Tehran Times, a bystander at the Chinese Embassy ceremony held in Tehran on Tuesday, the Chinese Liberation Army (PLA) celebrated the 98th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Liberation Army.
“We did a lot to promote the SCO agenda. We designed over 100 different activities, out of which we designed dozens of ministerial-level events. And we are pleased that Iran has been actively involved in many of the events,” Ambassador Kong said.
He then outlined the three core achievements of the organization under Chinese leadership. One of the most important recent achievements of SCO is its ability to maintain “sustainable development,” the ambassador said. Kong added that this is important in helping people in all member countries improve their standard of living.
He then highlighted the strengthened cooperation in the area of security within the SCO. Citing complex regional and international challenges, he shows that this type of collaboration is timely and important.
Finally, he highlighted the growing importance of cultural and human connections. “Of course, we also focus on people-to-people exchanges. It also serves as a very important bond that connects the people of our various member countries.”
Ambassador Kong further emphasized the importance of unity in developing countries.
“Shanghai cooperation organizations like BRICS serve as important platforms for practicing true multilateralism. All countries, especially the global South, can build stronger powers in the fields of politics, trade, culture and security, and can counter the politics of true multilateralism and rebellion and power.”
Speaking at the press conference on July 31, Guo Zi-Kun, a spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reflected a similar view and detailed the results made during China’s SCO presidency.
“Firstly, cooperation in various sectors has been deepened. China has hosted over 100 events as SCO chair, with almost half being institutional events covering multiple areas including politics, security, economics, economics, investment, energy, education, technological innovation, green industry, digital economy, and human exchange.
He added that the organization’s mechanisms have been improved through collaboration with member states.
Guo also noted a strong commitment to the establishment spirit of SCOs to address key global and regional issues. “The SCO spoke to support justice on key international and regional issues, firmly support the multilateral trading system and strongly condemned military abuse.”
With final preparations underway, the upcoming Tianjin summit is expected to mark a turning point in the SCO trajectory.
“This summit will guide SCOs to enter new stages of high-quality development that are characterized by more solidarity, coordination, vitality and contribution, and build closer SCO communities with a shared future,” Guo said.
As China leads the SCO through this important stage, the organization is ready to play a more active role in shaping the multipolar world with cooperatives, based on mutual respect and collective progress.