Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday, Sept. 1 said that Beijing is ready to strengthen its diplomatic efforts to resolve conflicts in Ukraine, the Middle East, and Afghanistan, while calling for greater multilateral cooperation on global security and governance.
Speaking at the 26th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Xi said:
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“On Ukraine, the Middle East, Afghanistan, and other international and regional hotspot issues, China stands ready to strengthen communication and coordination with all parties, continue tackling both the symptoms and root causes of these issues, and promote political settlement.”
Xi did not provide details on what new role China could play in efforts to end Russia’s war against Ukraine or outline any new peace initiative.
The SCO brings together China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Iran, and several Central Asian states, among others. The organization has increasingly been used by Beijing and Moscow as a platform for promoting alternatives to Western-led international institutions.
Xi calls for stronger SCO role
Much of Xi’s speech was focused on the future of the SCO, which this year marks its 25th anniversary. He said the organization should take on greater responsibility at a time of growing global rivalry and what he described as an increasingly persistent “shadow of war.”
“The shadow of war continues to haunt the world. At such a crossroads with humanity’s future at stake, the SCO should step forward to shoulder its historical responsibility and steer the course for the future,” he said.
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Xi urged SCO members to prioritize economic development, strengthen cooperation on traditional and emerging security threats, and promote dialogue rather than confrontation.
He also called for greater cooperation in areas including artificial intelligence, digital technology, energy, green industries, and transport infrastructure.
China, he said, would establish an international AI application cooperation center with SCO countries and carry out 100 technological cooperation projects with member states over the next three years.
On security, Xi called for closer coordination against terrorism, separatism, extremism, organized crime, drug trafficking, and telecommunications fraud. He also said China supports stronger multilateral cooperation on nuclear security.
Xi said countries should be treated as equals regardless of their size and that regional issues should be addressed through dialogue and consultation.
“We should always advocate that all countries, regardless of their size, are equal, and that regional affairs should be discussed by all countries to bridge differences and build consensus, properly handle differences through dialogue and consultation, and meet common challenges through multilateral collaboration.”
