Chinese President Xi Jinping's emphasis on carrying forward the Shanghai Spirit and advancing cooperation at the 25th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Tianjin will further power the SCO's wheels and help forge a new type of international relations, experts say.

In a keynote speech, Xi hailed the SCO's groundbreaking and historic achievements, highlighting the Shanghai Spirit — a set of guiding principles that emphasizes mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diversity of civilizations, and the pursuit of common development.

Rabi Hamamsah, head of media exposure at Deraya Speakers in the United Arab Emirates, said the spirit has created a unique framework that sets the SCO apart from other international organizations.

"The fact that the SCO has grown into the largest regional organization with 26 countries involved shows that its approach resonates strongly, especially in the Global South," he said.

"More and more countries recognize that peace, stability and development can only be achieved through cooperation and dialogue rather than through confrontation."

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

Abdulaziz Alshaabani, a researcher at the Al Riyadh Center for Political and Strategic Studies in Saudi Arabia, said the Shanghai Spirit has served as the cornerstone of the SCO's efficiency and resilience.

"Its emphasis on mutual trust, mutual benefit and respect for diversity makes it especially appealing to the Global South, where countries seek partnerships not based on hegemony but on equality and shared growth," he said.

Xi called on SCO members to stay true to the organization's founding mission and promote its sustained development with greater resolve and more practical measures.

Karori Singh, former director and emeritus fellow at the South Asia Study Centre of the University of Rajasthan, India, said the SCO, now the largest regional organization in Eurasia, was founded 24 years ago on the basis of the Shanghai Spirit. Since then, it has steadily expanded its membership and broadened its areas of cooperation.

President Xi's address reflected a pragmatic approach, outlining the SCO's vision for the next decade, Singh said. He emphasized that the organization is advancing from multilateral dialogue to concrete action aimed at safeguarding regional security, advancing prosperity in Eurasia, and contributing meaningfully to global peace, stability, and the building of a community with shared future for humanity.

Peaceful cooperation

Lawrence Loh, director of the Center for Governance and Sustainability at the National University of Singapore, said the unity demonstrated at the SCO Tianjin Summit signifies fresh hope for a new future of peaceful global cooperation.

"President Xi's momentous call for openness in a multipolar world is both pressing and urgent. The world cannot afford to backpedal in its progress due to any country's self-interest," he said.

Xi also unveiled China's new measures to support the SCO's development and win-win cooperation among members. "We need to better align our development strategies and promote the high-quality implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative," the president said.

Alshaabani said Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 and the SCO's development concepts converge on diversification, connectivity and sustainable growth. "The Tianjin summit provides a unique chance for Saudi Arabia to deepen cooperation with SCO countries."

Xi said SCO members need to enhance mutual understanding and friendship through people-to-people exchanges and cultivate a garden of civilizations in which all cultures flourish in prosperity and harmony.

Mohammad Ghazal, managing editor of English news at Aletihad News Center in the UAE, said civilizations grow stronger by learning from one another, not by isolating themselves — a principle embodied and advanced by the Shanghai Spirit.

"The history of exchange between China and the Arab world shows how dialogue creates prosperity as cooperation dates back to centuries and this, for example, can inspire others today to embrace diversity and build peaceful coexistence," he said.

As the world is faced with mounting security challenges, geopolitical rivalries and economic uncertainties, Ananda Goonatilleke, president of the Sri Lanka-China Friendship Association, said the Tianjin summit stands as a powerful platform for solidarity.

He also welcomed the discussions between China and India during the summit.

"The understanding that bilateral differences should not overshadow the greater goal of partnership reflects the wisdom of statesmanship and offers hope for broader regional harmony," he said.

Contact the writers at cuihaipei@chinadaily.com.cn