Xi says SCO bears greater responsibilities for peace, development

TIANJIN, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday said the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is shouldering greater responsibilities for safeguarding regional peace and stability, and for boosting development of various countries in a world of increasing uncertainties and accelerated changes.

Xi made the remarks at a banquet to welcome international guests who are in China's port city of Tianjin to attend the SCO Summit 2025 from Sunday to Monday.

Before the banquet, Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan welcomed the guests when they arrived.

Addressing the banquet, Xi expressed confidence that with concerted efforts of all parties, the summit will be a complete success, and that the SCO is certain to play an even bigger role and achieve more progress, making greater contribution to boosting the unity and cooperation among member states, pooling the strength of the Global South and pushing for more progress of human civilization.

Founded in Shanghai in June 2001, the SCO has expanded from six founding members into a 26-nation family of 10 members, two observers and 14 dialogue partners spanning Asia, Europe and Africa.

With major emerging markets and developing countries such as China, Russia and India among its members, the SCO represents nearly half of the world's population and a quarter of the global economy.

The Tianjin summit is the largest-ever annual summit of the group. Member states are expected to adopt key documents, including the organization's development strategy for the next decade.

It is also President Xi's second time hosting the event, with the participation of leaders from more than 20 countries and 10 international organizations. Prior to the summit, Xi held more than a dozen bilateral meetings with arriving leaders in Tianjin.

Xi told the guests at the banquet that as an open and inclusive city, Tianjin serves as a pioneering zone for China's reform and opening-up, and hosting the summit here will undoubtedly inject new vitality into the sustainable development of the SCO.

The SCO has become an important force in building a new type of international relations and a community with a shared future for humanity, he added.

The summit includes the 25th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO as well as the "SCO Plus" Meeting, both of which will be held on Monday.

Participants at the meetings will discuss plans for cooperation and development, and work to improve global governance, Xi said.

He expressed the hope that the SCO will, under the guidance of Shanghai Spirit, set sail once again from Tianjin toward an even brighter future.

After the banquet, Xi and Peng joined the guests in watching an art performance.

Senior Chinese officials including Cai Qi, Wang Yi, Chen Min'er, and Wang Xiaohong were present at the event.

The following is the full text of Xi's toast at the banquet:

Toast by H.E. Xi Jinping

President of the People's Republic of China

At the Welcoming Banquet of the SCO Summit

Tianjin, August 31, 2025

Dear Colleagues,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Friends,

Good evening. Tonight, we are gathered here by the glittering banks of the Haihe River in Tianjin, a city defined by its embrace of waters from all corners. On behalf of the Chinese government and people, I welcome all our distinguished guests to Tianjin.

Today is a joyful day for leaders of SCO member states to have this happy gathering with old and new friends. It is also the Independence Day of Kyrgyzstan and the National Day of Malaysia. I wish to take this opportunity to offer our heartfelt congratulations to President Sadyr Japarov, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, and the friendly peoples of Kyrgyzstan and Malaysia.

Tianjin is an open and inclusive metropolis. It has served as a strategic guardian city for our nation's capital throughout history, and pioneered China's reform and opening up as a pilot zone. In recent years, Tianjin has implemented the national strategy of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei coordinated development, and written its new and dynamic chapter in advancing Chinese modernization. We believe that as the host of this Summit, Tianjin will give fresh impetus to the sustainable development of our Organization.

Since its founding, the SCO has stayed committed to the Shanghai Spirit, strengthening solidarity and mutual trust, deepening practical cooperation, and taking an active part in international and regional affairs. The SCO has grown into a significant force in promoting a new type of international relations and building a community with a shared future for humanity.

At present, the century-defining transformation is accelerating across the world, with a marked increase in factors of instability, uncertainty, and unpredictability. The SCO thus bears an even greater responsibility for maintaining regional peace and stability and promoting development and prosperity of all countries.

At this Summit, we are tasked with an important mission: to build consensus among all parties, ignite momentum for cooperation, and draw up a blueprint for development. Tomorrow, I will join our colleagues at the Meeting of the Council of Heads of Member States. We will also convene the "SCO Plus" Meeting with leaders of non-SCO members and international organizations. We will focus on how to strengthen cooperation, promote development, and improve global governance.

I am confident that with the collective efforts of all parties, this Summit will be a complete success and the SCO will play an even greater role, achieve greater development, and make greater contribution to strengthening solidarity and cooperation among the member states, pooling the strength of the Global South, and promoting the cause of human advancement.

As a Chinese saying goes, "In a race of a hundred boats, those who row the hardest will lead." Let us uphold the Shanghai Spirit and set out from Tianjin on a new voyage filled with hope toward an even brighter future.

Now, please join me in a toast:

To a productive and fruitful Summit;

To the advancement of the SCO's goals and tasks;

To the development and prosperity of all countries and the well-being of our people; and

To the health of all distinguished guests and your families.

Cheers!